Nightingale & The Sparrow CD

)The title track (Track 1) written by Allworth in 2005 is his recollection of the somber mood of the 1964 English film drama of that name which starred Kim Stanley and Richard Attenborough in a drama about kidnapping. Ray Lemond plays piano here and on Tracks 2 to 7 which comprise his lighthearted "JAZZABOUT SUITE" (2005) in 6 short movements, whose titles indicate their style: In the Sun; Proud as a Peacock; Chasing Rainbows; Waltz for Victoria; Baby Blues; Bossy Bossa. Eric Gross contributes 5 tuneful solo piano pieces (Tracks 8 to 12). The first two are performed by Ray Lemond: "RONDINO TRANQUILLO" (1962) which is a transcription of a piece originally scored for harp. The delightful "PRELUDE TO PARADISE" (1977-2005) is a touching musical portrait of the composer's niece who died at an early age in Pittsburgh, USA. It is written in the form of a melodically graceful Prelude.

(This work can also be heard on another Jade CD titled "Prelude to Paradise" JADCD 1105 in two other transcriptions - as orchestrated by the composer, and played by the St. Andrews Cathedral Orchestra, directed by Michael Deasey and in its original form as an organ prelude performed by the late Lawrence Bartlett, also a composer, whose own work is featured on many other Jade CDs, all available at CD Baby).

Also from Gross are three pieces which reveal the composer's sense of humor in music and all performed by distinguished Australian pianist Sally Mays: "SALLY IN A MAZE" - written for her; "MINUETTO CAPRICCIOSO" - originally written for harpsichord;"AN IDYLL FOR IDIL", a piece written for Turkish pianist Idil Ugur who has given many live performances of works by the composer. Ray Lemond returns with performances of five elegiac piano works by Allworth (Tracks 13 to 17) the first four performed by Ray Lemond, and the last by Sally Mays."REMEMBERING ROBERT STRAUB" "REMEMBERING ALAN SPENCE""REVERIE IN MEMORY ALAN SPENCE""NIGHTFALL""AN OASIS IN MOONLIGHT" which also exists in versions for string orchestra and for string quartet and organ.

Derek Strahan's "FUGUE FOR A ROGUE ASTEROID" for solo Piano (1992) (Track 18) is given by the composer. This fugue is from Pt. 1 of Atlantis Variations for Solo Piano, one of several works written to develop material for inclusion in a proposed cycle of 4 operas suggested by Plato's account of the rise and fall of Atlantis. The rogue asteroid here depicted is presumed to have been the agent of the global cataclysm which terminated the Quaternary Age. The presence in a fugue of the double invertible theme representing it signifies its fateful link to other heavenly bodies during its trajectory through the galaxy. It is a rogue child of unpredictable character, of changeable habits, easily swayed from its path. "Atlantis Variations Pt.

2 may be heard on "An Australian Festival" (JADCD 1095)."Atlantis Variations Pt.