New Release From Halcyon

Set for release on March 24 2025, Halcyon has a new recording How Far We’ve Come Together… devoted to just one instrumental combination and reflects the 25-year working relationship between Halcyon’s artistic director, mezzo-soprano Jenny Duck-Chong,and cellist Geoffrey Gartner.

Duck-Chong and Gartner, two expert performers, join forces for this diverse showcase of primarily Australian contemporary composers, many of whom Halcyon has formed close links with over the decades. They include Gordon Kerry, Julian Yu, Andrew Schultz, Nicola LeFanu, Larry Sitsky, Kate Reid, Michael Berkeley and Brad Taylor-Newling. Featuring several premieres, it is the first recording of every piece on the album, most of which have been composed for, or commissioned by, Halcyon.

Halcyon has been a leading light in the Sydney art music scene for decades, with creative programing, mentoring and teaching new generations about vocal composition and commissioning significant and award-winning vocal chamber works. Halcyon commissioned the Paul Lowin Song Cycle winners in 2006, 2013 and 2022. For over twenty-five years this chameleonic ensemble has helped shape the Australian musical landscape and created a substantial audio catalogue.

Read our review of Halcyon’s album Waves III.