Peter Sculthorpe, Don Banks and Carl Vine studied in Europe or the US and developed a completely unique language. Yet, they were unmistakably Australian, with a strikingly unconventional tonal language. The dogmatic attitudes towards ‘modern’ music that prevailed in Europe didn’t really apply in Australia. Instead, influences from New Zealand’s Maori, Balinese gamelan, and Australian Aboriginal cultures were evident, as seen in Sculthorpe’s String Quartet no.8.
Peter Sculthorpe (1929-2014) – String quartet no.8 (1969)
- Con dolore, 2. Risoluto – Calmo – Risoluto, 3. Con dolore, 4. Con precisione, 5. Con dolore
Performed by: Brodsky Quartet
CD: Challenge Classics
Don Banks (1923-1980) – Four pieces for string quartet (1971)
- Moderato, 2. Allegro, 3. Adagio, 4. Allegro
Performed by: Sydney String Quartet
CD: ABC Classics
Carl Vine (*1954) – String quartet no. 2 (1984)
Performed by: Goldner String Quartet
CD: ABC Classics
Carl Vine (*1954) – Knips Suite (=String quartet no.1) (1979)
- Knips in Brixton (L’homme en colère: Knips on rye, hold the bread), 4. Deco Knips (a tango), 6. Knips del Fuego (A finale)
Performed by: Goldner String Quartet
CD: ABC Classics
