John Antill
(1904-1986)
An Outback Overture (1953)
Corroboree (1946)
New Zealand Symphony Orchestra/James Judd
Naxos 8.570241 49:06
A corroboree is a ritual ceremony with dance performed by Australian aborigines. Antill did much research into aboriginal music, resulting in the ballet on this CD. It remains his best-known work, and is more often heard without dance. It is scored for a large orchestra that includes such indigenous instruments as clapping sticks and a bull roarer, and in many respects is reminiscent of Stravinsky's The Rite of Spring. The overture is an evocation of the more remote parts of Australia.
