for solo guitar (2012 / 2013)
duration: 9’
GRT • 174
YouTube
digital album available
The Thin Blue Line
Ken Murray plays the solo guitar music of Stuart Greenbaum
Lyrebird Productions, LB151217
ABC Classics, digital, 2018
score available from
Australian Music Centre
program note
There is a form of dance music in the classical tradition whose purpose does not require any dancing. And I often wonder what it means, therefore, to listen to dance music while sitting still. Of course, there’s an inner dance that lifts and moves the spirit and I have always been attracted to music of any age or genre that does that.
Synthesis reworks the final movement of Dance Music for Concert Halls (commissioned for Ensemble Liaison by Andrew Johnston to celebrate the 80th birthday of his mother, Stephanie Lillian Johnston). While written originally for clarinet, violin, cello and piano, this particular movement was originally composed at the guitar (while on holiday in Phillip Island) and this adaptation for Ken Murray is therefore not merely an arrangement but a re-interpretation of musical ideas naturally suited to the guitar. The premiere performance was given by Ken Murray on 12 December 2016 at Melba Hall, The University of Melbourne.
reviews
“But back to the guitar disc, Synthesis, says the composer is “a form of dance music” and it adds to the varied mix of ostinati and jazz inflected sequential writing, the percussive ‘battuta’ effect and strumming. Its insistent rhythm is quite catchy.”
Gary Higginson, Music Web International, August 2018
“Synthesis (2012/3) is an arrangement of a movement from another work by Greenbaum – Dance Music for Concert Halls for clarinet, violin, cello and piano. The composer’s notes inform us that it was originally conceived as a guitar piece, so “this adaptation for Ken Murray is therefore not merely an arrangement but a re-interpretation of musical ideas naturally suited to the guitar”. Featuring a theme with variations, it is rhythmic, sometimes jazzy and conveys a cheerful atmosphere.”
Gwen Bennett, Music Trust E-Zine, January 2021