If music be the food of life then call me a glutton.
Music has formed a continuous thread throughout my life and will always continue to do so. It lifts, it transports; it makes one forget and it makes one dream. It inspires tears, laughter, joy…expresses sorrow and all those intangible things in between – music is perhaps the most evocative medium we have.
To me composers seem to live their lives in phases. And what better way to celebrate a composers phase or two, or three…than to capture them on CD. One of my fave composers, Australian Phillip Wilcher, has recently seen a selection of his works to date released on CD to celebrate his big Five-O and I have had the pleasure of listening to this recording featuring some of the works which have formed a path for this man to the present day.
‘Into his Countenance’ is now released and is a fitting birthday present for a composer who writes music that is just made to be remembered. I often think that Phillip’s music is a combination of past and present…melodic (an absolute necessity in music in my opinion); romantic, edgy, impressionistic – Dali painted for the ‘eye’, Phillip ‘paints’ for the ear…
And when this is all combined with interpretation by the most astute of musicians - people who not only champion Phillip’s works but are also dear friends – you have quite simply, a gem. It is all here; the composer’s joy and irrepressible humour - deep insight and personal sadness.
Tolmie Tune written for, and performed by, the wonderfully gifted oboist Rachel Tolmie; a musical joke – proof that composers are not all seriousness – but very often playful and fun. What I love about this piece is that it shows us, that in Rachel’s hands, the oboe is not just the ‘plaintive’ voice of the orchestra we all know and love…it can be childlike, witty and even naughty. Here the oboist is the comedian and is joined in the fun by the versatile pianist John Martin – who get’s the last laugh…?
‘A Rose in Water’: Phillip’s own gift to his beloved mentor Miriam Hyde on her 90th birthday and beautifully played by Jeanell Carrigan. Few pianist’s have the gift of that ‘sympathetic touch’ with their instrument as Jeanell does. Few musicians can truly convey exactly what the composer felt when they wrote a particular piece - this is never more evident than in ‘One Tuesday in September’ . Written following the events of 9/11, the piece describes the composer’s reaction to that devastating event.
‘Into His Countenance’ is the title piece and surely the most personal work for the composer to date; written in the weeks following his mother’s death, and played by the inspired choice of flute and string orchestra, Phillip tells us of the journey of one woman’s soul towards ‘the countenance of God’. Not a final journey by any means – the soul is finite, we will never know just where a soul begins but we do know that it never ends.
The melody, played so beautifully by flautist Amanda Muir, has a floating quality which conveys sensitively the transition the soul makes as it becomes part of another time and place; it is a journey we are all part of eventually and with the strings of the Bourbaki Ensemble the music revisits a time when the pain of letting go, combined with the discovery of something so deeply spiritual, inspired a determination to honour his mother’s life. What better way to do this than through music…
There is so much to enjoy on this CD; music that is fresh, vibrant and very Wilcher. Of course behind every composer is a publisher and Publications by Wirripang provide that vital encouragement and support to it’s artists. This particular CD release (along with the composer) has been lovingly nurtured by Phillip’s publishers Anne and Brennan Keats. In an industry where composers can be regarded as little more than manufacturers, Anne and Brennan, through their care for the composer as a person, have earned the same respect and affection from their composers that they, in turn, afford them.
And last, but never least, the excellent recording itself; recorded and edited by Peter Bell, his work gives us the wonderful finished product and and is a fine example of his skills.
So what kind of birthday cake do you give a person whose life revolves around notes and key signatures?…I happen to know that Phillip has a leaning towards lemon meringue pie 
I spoke about phases earlier on. One wonders, if present recording technology was available centuries ago, how ‘Mozart at Ten’ or ‘Beethoven – My Romantic Period’ would have been like to capture on CD…we will never know, but one thing is sure – ‘Phillip at 50′ provides plenty for him to be well proud of.
Copyright © 2007-2012 Cultured Views. All rights reserved.Related posts:
Thank you for such a wonderful review of Phillip Wilcher’s Birthday CD “Into His Countenance”. Such lovely words and it is nice to receive the appreciation.
With warm wishes
Anne
Hi Anne!
My pleasure entirely, Phillip’s music is always a joy to write about – as well as listen to of course. But nice to know that there are people, as yourselves, who look after these people who give us so much in the way of music and enjoyment.
Thanks for dropping by
I agree the Philip’s music is lovely, I recorded and edited part of the CD. It took longer than it should of, as I, from time to time, was caught up in the music and just listened instead of editing. Thank you Philip for such wonderful music.
Peter.
One of the ‘occupational hazards’ I suppose
I agree with you Peter, and thanks for sharing that with us. Your work has highlighted the quality of the music and performers all round. Well done!
I am overwhelmed by everyone’s generosity of spirit and kind comments. I see/hear “Into His Countenance” as a collaborative effort – it’s not my CD but ours. Without Wirripang, Anne, Brennan, Rachel, John, Jeanell, David and the Bourbaki Ensemble, Peter and all concerned, my music would remain silent. Without you Wendy, it would be without a forum. You are all a part of the fabric of its sound and more than that, you have helped me to honour a promise to my mother. I’m in debt to you all…but believe me, the best from my pen is yet to come. So, the sincerest thanks to you all for being a part of my life – I feel so blessed.
….and to Amanda too a huge thank you! I’m a little tired through lack of sleep – I knew I’d unintentionally someone out of our “family”….my brain is decomposing at the moment! Sleep sometimes comes slow…poco a poco rall….
Phillip it was a pleasure writing about this recording and of course an even greater one having the music to listen to; from the first track it has something special and personal about it – the combination of emotion, the camaraderie and the tangible spirit of your dear Mum there throughout it all.
The Monty Python team recorded a song called ‘decomposing composers’…
Hi Wendy,
Thanks for your kind comments about the CD. It was a delight to conduct Phillip’s music with Rachel and Amanda providing the solos, and with many old (and some new) friends in the orchestra. I think the result is something we can all be proud of.
And thanks too for your remarks Phillip – just don’t forget that it all starts with *you*! Other people could have conducted, performed, recorded this music but without you there wouldn’t be any music in the first place. Warmest regards and congratulations,
David
I appreciate that David! I do feel a kindred spirit in you – we are on the same page! Although sometimes it doesn’t feel as though my music does “start with me”. I remember once reading about how once, a famous actor (let’s say Sir Alec Guiness, perhaps – I can’t recall) attended a performance of Othello – Olivier in the lead role. On this particular night, Olivier’s performance was something else again! On going backstage to congratulate Olivier, the actor was found to be in a rage, yelling and pulling his hair out. “But what’s wrong?” asked Guiness…”that was the most extraordinary performance I have ever seen!!” Olivier snapped back : “Yes, yes, I know – I just don’t know how I did it!” Not that I’m anything to be compared to such greatness, but I don’t always know how I do what I do or from where ideas come. Other times I do. I can perhaps be a little too self effacing at times. Franz Holford instilled in me the belief that music comes first – we serve it. My wonderful friend and mentor Miriam Hyde did likewise. I can’t begin to justly tell you what a blessing she was in my life.Her generoisty and goodwill was golden. She saw everything I wrote – offered advice when I needed it, praise when something was worth it and gave of her time at times when physically she was not able. Once she wrote me from her sick bed that she was to ill to write me about a new work and would come back to me in due course!
There are times when I wonder how things come about. I think sometimes music “happens” to us – yes??
Two quotes that are by my side at all time hint at aims, origins and destinations:
From Blake:
“To see a world in a grain of sand
And heaven in a wild flower,
Hold infinity in the palm of your hand
And eternity in an hour”
This I try to achieve through music.
From T.S.Elliot:
“We shall not cease from exploration
And the end of all our exploring
Will be to arrive where we started
And know the place for the first time”
This for me says we are here to remember who we truly are.
I so look forward to achieving more goals and keeping everyone in the fold. Despite life’s hardships – and we can all give thanks for them, believe me – I love it!
Oh – by the way Wendy – there’s a lemon meringue pie in my fridge! It’s the flavour of B minor – the hint of lemon comes from the A#!!
Phillip
Those words from Blake’s work explain well the effort to strive to be the best we can, and see the world through not just our eyes but the simplest of perspectives. Not an easy thing to do.
I am an avid admirer of the artist Vincent van Gogh and I just love his words “One must work and dare if one really wants to live”. Being a cancer survivor these words mean everything to me. I can sense a kindred spirit in this composer.
This speaks to me so much at the moment as I am just beginning a journey like yours Martin but I do not know where it will lead me. But why has it led me here though? ‘Into His Countenance’? I have been searching for days for a meaning for the support and encouragement I need to give me the strength I need to have and it led me to the word countenance and eventually to here. I have read the words you all write here, Phillip you speak of holding infinity in the palm of your hand, that is what I am holding now. It scares me, do I open my palm and dare to look into the future and infinity or do I keep it closed and try to protect myself from moment to moment? I hope you all understand what I am trying to say. When all seems lost is that tiniest shred of hope worth clinging on to? I feel this is a turning point for me in finding the meaning of countenance here.
Alex I hope you are still around because I want to say something to you. I feel you are looking for strength to make an important decision in your life. I feel you have that strength already. Thank you for sharing your feelings with us, they are very important and they matter so much and you do too. I find it very intriguing how you found this site and how the word ‘countenance’ has been so significant an aspect for you. May I tell you that Phillip – as he has told me – composed ‘Into His Countenance’ in response to a very powerful moment in his life, one that was in many ways life changing for him. Perhaps you would agree with me that you too have reached a significant moment in your own life and you need some direction for which way to turn…? I would love to have the magic answer for you that you seem to be searching for, but I feel you have an idea of what you know you have to do. By all means protect yourself and care for yourself – do you have people in your life to care for you…? but honestly, if I was at a crossroads, I’d open my palm and invite the future into my life for all it is worth. Please stay in touch…?
You are in my prayers tonight
Blessings to you Martin. I read your comment.
Thank you for the kind words. I carry those two quotes in my wallet with me. Thanks to you now, I have a third : the van Gogh.
Thank you again – take care.
Yes, the van Gogh quote is just so fitting and says it all really. Where would we be without such wisdom to inspire us? Martin is fave of mine here, he always has something to say which makes me think. Take care both of you
Dear Alex : I have come to believe that our destiny finds us. Perhaps it is that your destiny has brought you here. I don’t personally believe we are sent anything we can’t deal with. My mother’s life taught me that. Any one of her illnesses would have been enough. If I could have taken her every illness into my own body just to give her but one day of freedom from it I would have. She once asked me : “Why me?” and the only answer I could give her that made any sense of it all was that she chose the life she was to live for herself before coming into it as a part of her own evolution as a spirit. I know that sounds almost harsh and even overly philosophical but some time later I read the book “Conversations With God” and it hinted at much the same thing. It explains that feeling of deja vu we all sometimes experience as us in part remembering the blue print of the life we mapped for ourselves to live before we came into this world to live it. I found great comfort in that thought. In 1997 I suffered a shattering break down. It took me almost two years to find my centre again. The strength I had to muster to overcome its challenge ( I viewed it as a challenge) took such a measure from me as to almost cause another breakdown. Faith saw me through. The faith that “this too shall pass”. Years later I was assaulted by three youths to within 30 seconds of my life. I was beaten about my head with a plank of wood which had rusty nails in it and I suffered an arterial bleed along with a dislocated shoulder and other injuries. It took me three months and the music of Bach to heal my physical wounds. I would not let what those youths did to me – and they knew not what they were doing because they were high on drugs – touch my spirit. On waking in hospital my greater concern was for the three youths and for them to know that I had survived and that I forgave them. My forgiveness was on waking. There was no question about it. For myself, the feeling with each adversity I have suffered in my life and through being by my quietly courageous mother’s side through everything she suffered, is that we come full circle. I have learned not to be afraid. To answer your question from my own perspective I would say you do neither. You don’t open the palm of your hand to dare to look into the future and infinity nor do you keep it closed and try to protect yourself from moment to moment. You simply live your life moment to moment, you live IN the moment. I have an inkling when we leave this time we call Life for whatever the next stage of our evolution as a Spirit will be, that greater force we all come to place our Faith in will be there to smile and simply say : “You see, it wasn’t all that bad!” If you live a life without hardship and heartache, you live an unbeautiful life. Nature alone teaches us this. I don’t know if any of this helps but blessings ever to you Alex!
So glad I caught your reply in good time Phillip – thanks. I can certainly see where you get your strength from
If only you could bottle it and sell it eh…?
I wonder what the next stage of evolution actually is – I call this earthly one the ‘awareness’ stage. Maybe in the next stage we gain a sensory perception that is beyond our comprehension in this life…?
Something to look forward to anyway
Love to you as always and take care.
Love to you too Wendy. Perhaps every stage of whatever life we are is an “awareness”. I love that thought of being aware. Trust me though, I still have my frail days but in that frailty there is a strength to be found like in the subtle turns of phrase in a Chopin mazurka. I suppose we each have our own belief systems and that a feeling can only be truly measured by the belief in which it is held. My personal belief is that there can be no ceasing to be. My creativity has strengthened that notion because my creativity reacquaints me with the child I was once was. That child is still here. I think our respective stages of evolution are different. I certainly do believe there is some greater force or energy at work in the world and when our days are done and it comes our time to leave, we simply become a part of that energy. We go to the place from where all ideas come. Perhaps even we become the idea for another person’s creative endeavour. Way leads on to way…….it is what led Alex here and it is what will lead him further. Perhaps even the only answer is that there is no real answer.
Wonderful perspective Phillip. I do hope Alex reads your reply and draws strength for whatever it is that is troubling him – I can sense that this person is being drawn towards a turning point in his life and how amazing that he found his way to this particular article? incredible, and I hope he returns and shares a little more how his experience has brought him here and where he is going.
I too feel the forces which drive us through this life are immortal and carry us into another ‘dimension’ of being, I am fascinated to know if awareness is part of it in a form unknown to us here in this life. I think it has to be!
Dear Wendy: More than the Blake quote above, do I love the T. S Eliot. I’ll keep Alex in my thoughts and prayers. Love to you!