Rompduo Victorian Tour
In recent weeks Rompduo (Barry Cockcroft & Adam Pinto) have given several concerts in Victoria, Australia. Performing several publications by Reed Music, the concerts saw the Australian premiere of several new works including the Sonata by Perry Goldstein, Naked Hum by Taran Carter, Three Places for a New Millenium by Stuart Greenbaum and two new compositions by Barry Cockcroft.
Blue Tongue is a solo piece in a blues style with a theatrical element to be performed with a sense of humour. After a brief rubato introduction, the rhythm and pulse remain relentless with a gradual increase in the dynamics and intensity of the piece. Toward the end the clarinetist should gradually disassemble their instrument while playing. The piece should be played with a sense of humour and creative ways of taking apart the clarinet could be employed.
Barry's other new piece for solo saxophone, Rock Me! is dedicated to all those musicians who aspired to be rock stars but somehow never quite made it. It features rapid quasi slap tonguing simulating an electric bass, a wild distorted section mimicking an out of control electric guitar and of course the inevitable drum solo produced by means some creative tonguing and reed work...
Rompduo also played their version of Debussy's Rhapsody and a new transcription of the Saint-Saëns Sonata for Oboe and Piano, performed on soprano saxophone. The ever popular Crazy Logic by Matthew Orlovich was heard in several concerts and remains one the most energetic works written for the duo. Adam performed the sublime Debussy's 10th Prelude. This piece is based on an ancient Breton myth in which a cathedral, which is submerged underwater off the coast of the Island of Ys, rises up from the sea on certain mornings. Sounds can be heard of priests chanting, bells chiming, and the organ playing, from across the sea.
Rompduo gave several masterclasses on their tour and worked with students from Melbourne schools, PLC, Buckley Park College, Warrnambool schools including Warrnambool College, Brauer College, King's College, Emmanuel College and Geelong School St. Joseph's College.
Rompduo will touring Australia and New Zealand in March of 2009.