But I want the Harmonica...
for solo piano
(1996)
duration: 7’
GRT • 030
CD available
But I Want the
Harmonica...
Jeanell Carrigan, piano
Vox Australis
Giants in the
Land
Ian Holtham, piano
Move Digital
audio sample
score
available from
Promethean Editions
program note
When I was about
6 or 7 years old, the school librarian came into our class.
She asked us which item we would choose if stranded in a
boat by ourselves: a fishing rod, a cake, a harmonica or a
book? Now it seems that most of the kids thought cake would
be excellent (it was getting close to morning recess) but
she rightly pointed out that a cake can only be eaten once,
whereas a book can be read over and over. But I wanted the
harmonica and was not astute enough at the time to point
out to her that not only could the harmonica be played over
and over but you could make the tunes up yourself. I can't
remember the librarian's name but if you're out there in
the audience this piece is dedicated to
you.
reviews
"The CD's
title–piece, But I
Want the Harmonica…, by Stuart Greenbaum, shows a clean and
simple power of expression"
Clive O'Connell, The Age, September 1998
"Minimalism and jazz appear in
different proportions, most endearingly in Stuart
Greenbaum's But I
Want the Harmonica… (consult the booklet for the explanation
of the title)."
Carl Rosman, Brava!, October 1998
"Stuart Greenbaum's mostly
gentle But I Want
the Harmonica…(1996) gives the disc its shelf title and
complements that with a dash of wistfulness."
Roger Covell, Sydney Morning Herald
“And
Melbourne-based composer Stuart Greenbaum's
But I Want the
Harmonica… evolved
gradually from quietness to stridency before decibel levels
dropped again to bring the piece to a gentle close.
Throughout, one heard a near-mesmeric simulation of a
tolling bell.”
Neville Cohn, Ozarts review, 2003