Philip Bračanin - Symphonies 2 & 3 (2000)

Hadn't heard of Philip Bračanin until I ran across this out of print CD of his 2nd and 3rd Symphonies. Glad I discovered his music. I have always appreciated the 20th Century post-romantic composers, and Bračanin fits comfortably with ones like Vaughan Williams and Elgar. Well worth a few listens. I plan to seek out more of his music, although it appears to be hard to find.

Philip Bračanin is an Australian of Dalmatian parentage. From the age of six he received piano lessons and subsequently studied music and mathematics at the University of Western Australia, where he was awarded MA and PhD degrees for analytical studies of contemporary music. Dr Bračanin is currently Professor of Music at The University of Queensland, where for nine years he was the Dean of the Faculty of Music. Currently he is Head of the School of Music.

Included amongst his works are numerous chamber pieces (including three string quartets), solo song cycles with both piano and orchestral accompaniments, choral works, concerti for piano, violin, viola, cello, oboe, clarinet, trombone, guitar, two for orchestra and three symphonies.

In 1988 Bracanin was Composer-in-Residence at the Anglo-Australian Music Festival in Birmingham, England. In 1991 he fulfilled a similar role at the Bournemouth International Festival, at which two of his works were performed, including a festival commission. In May 1995 his First Symphony was premièred by the Pusan Philharmonic Orchestra in Pusan, Korea, and in September his Second Choral Symphony was premièred. Additionally, in 1995 his Guitar Concerto won the APRA Award for the best Australian Classical Composition.

His music has been recorded in Australia, Germany, Finland and in the former Yugoslavia, and performed in Australia, Europe, Korea and the U.S.A. (Source for biography: http://www.bracanin.com/biography.htm)

Credits:

• Queensland Symphony Orchestra, cond. Werner Andreas Albert
• The Brisbane Chorale
• Margaret Schindler, soprano

Track List:

1. Symphony No.2 - 1. Andante con tempo rubato
2. Symphony No.2 - 2. Allegro molto
3. Symphony No.2 - 3. Andante
4. Symphony No.2 - 4. Allegro maestoso
5. Symphony No.3 - 1. Allegro
6. Symphony No.3 - 2. Andante lusingando
7. Symphony No.3 - 3. Allegro vivace
8. Symphony No.3 - 4. Allegro maestoso

Download Links: Enjoy the Music!, or here.