CD Review: Johanna Selleck | Becoming

 Johanna Selleck | Becoming

Merlyn Quaife (soprano)
Dean Sky-Lucas (countertenor)
Jerzy Kozlowski (bass)
Adam Simmons (shakuhachi)
Lynette Rayner (violin)
Zachary Johnston (violin)
Barbara Hornung (viola)
Caerwen Martin (cello)

Very rarely do I come across a major new work that is as wonderful, as powerful and ultimately as beautiful as Becoming, a one hour song cycle by the Melbourne composer Johanna Selleck. At first I was a little perplexed by its changing nature as I detected influences in the music from France around the belle époque, a touch of late romantic German music and then a hint of another French inspired composer Claude Vivier whilst all the time weaving an intricate and coherent musical story that drew me in more and more on each listening – four times so far. Selleck is clearly an original thinker and a maker of music that communicates at many levels.

On the evidence of this work alone Selleck should be recognised and rewarded as one of Australia’s leading composers. This is music truly of ‘now’ and deserves to be heard across the nation.

The use of the shakuhachi, played exquisitely by Adam Simmons, could hint at an Asian influence as could the use of haiku as the text but this is music firmly centred in a rigorous European tradition that demands attention from the concertgoer. When I listen to Schubert’s Winterreise I undergo the same emotional experience as I did listening to Becoming.

The opening movement with surging music then serenity and then more exploration of deep emotional worlds is like a mini-symphony for voice and ensemble so complete is the musical experience.

When hearing a new work it is so important to have great performers delivering the composers ideas and Selleck is so well served by stunning interpretations by the legendary soprano Merlyn Quaife, bass Jerzy Kozlowski and a singer new to me, the countertenor Dean Sky-Lucas. I have heard the sensational Kozlowski in baroque and romantic repertoire and he brings his renowned excellence in that repertoire to this new music.  Sky-Lucas is a perfect match for Quaife and the intertwining of the vocal lines is a delight.  And there are wonderful contributions from the string ensemble.

This CD is produced by MOVE records. Purchase details here.