Don Banks: Vocal and Chamber Music

Banks, Don (1923-80)

Trio for Horn, Violin & Piano /Robert Johnson (horn), Ole Böhn (violin), Daniel Herscovitch (piano)

I. Lento – Allegro moderato

II. Adagio espressivo

III. Moderato

5 North Country Folk Songs /Jenny Duck-Chong (mezzo-soprano), Daniel Herscovitch (piano)

No. 1, Buy Broom Buzzems

No. 2, My Bonny Lad

No. 3, King Arthur’s Servants

No. 4, Bonny at Morn

No. 5, O the Bonny Fisher Lad

Prologue, Night Piece & Blues for Two /Francesco Celata (clarinet), Daniel Herscovitch (piano)

I. Prologue

II. Night Piece

III. Blues for Two

3 Studies for Cello & Piano /Geoffrey Gartner (cello), Daniel Herscovitch (piano)

No. 1, Andante – Moderato

No. 2, Lento espressivo

No. 3, Allegro con brio

Piano Sonatina in C-Sharp Minor /Daniel Herscovitch (piano)

I. Allegro con spirito

II. Largo con espressione

III. Risoluto – Lamentevole

Violin Sonata /Ole Böhn (violin), Daniel Herscovitch (piano)

Tirade /Jenny Duck-Chong (mezzo-soprano), Rowan Phemister (harp), Alison Pratt (percussion), Daryl Pratt (percussion), Joshua Hill (percussion), Daniel Herscovitch (piano)

I. Lento

II. Adagio

III. Vivace – Lento

During his short life Don Banks (1923–80) enjoyed a reputation as the leading modernist among Australian composers. Studies with Mátyás Seiber, Milton Babbitt and, especially, Luigi Dallapiccola helped refine his serial technique, but his music never retreated into academic abstraction, as this recital of chamber and vocal works demonstrates: it retained a keen sense of drama, an ear for atmosphere, a rather angular lyricism and, occasionally, a touch of humour.