Album: The Island (Symphony No. 2)
Artist: Jaz Coleman
2014 Killing Joke Records
CD: KJR003CD

Performed by the Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra
Conducted by Peter Scholes

Viva Voce Chorus (2, 8)
Hinewehi Mohi: soprano (1, 9)
Steve Howe: classical guitar (1, 9)


Produced by Jaz Coleman
Mixed by Chris Potter
Recorded at the Kenneth Myers Centre, Auckland, New Zealand
Mastered at York Street Studios, Auckland, New Zealand


Tracks:
1. "Opening Movement" (6:49)
2. "Second Movement" (4:56)
3. "Third Movement: The Way of the Wanderer" (4:30)
4. "Fourth Movement: The Panorama" (8:04)
5. "Fifth Movement" (4:02)
6. "Sixth Movement" (4:57)
7. "Seventh Movement" (10:18)
8. "Eighth Movement" (5:16)
9. "Final Movement" (4:46)

composed by Coleman


Notes: Detailed performance credits (which guests are on which tracks) aren't given, but are what I can hear. My CD copy gives no label details or a catalogue number: those come from Discogs.

Coleman composed the symphony, which he describes as romantic minimalism, in a 20-day period to celebrate acquiring New Zealand citizenship. It was recorded in 1996. The recording was lost for over 12 years, but Coleman's mother had the last copy.

Coleman describes the composition as "nine sketches influenced by specific topographies". It is linked to his first book, "Letters from Cythera", both being inspired by New Zealand. The opening movement depicts "the holy and mythical island of Cythera". The second movement describes the procession of a priesthood (i.e., priest and priestess). The third movement describes the melancholy of leaving the island. The fourth movement describes the view as one journeys from the hot springs to the summit of Coleman's favourite mountain. The fifth movement was inspired by a rainforest. The sixth movement describes a chess game and eludes to Mercury. The seventh movement is "a collage of a South Pacific lifestyle and the dramatic scenery of Cythera". The eighth movement invokes the spirits of the spring. The ninth movement recaptiulates (1) and celebrates the sovereignty of New Zealand. (HP, 5 Apr 24)

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