Pat Jaffe & Callum Mintzis - A Sanctuary of Quietude

MNM018

“There is patience evident at every turn in their new work. A 40-minute suite that unfolds over five movements, it takes its time as it explores delicate themes and subtle variations, slipping back and forth between notation and improvisation. ★★★★”
- Jessica Nicholas, The Age
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MADE NOW MUSIC presents ‘A Sanctuary of Quietude’, a new collaborative composition from Melbourne pianist Pat Jaffe and trombonist Callum Mintzis. Recorded live in the stunning acoustics of St John’s Anglican Church, Camberwell, this album captures the June 2021 premiere of the work in exquisite detail. Released exclusively on Bandcamp, this album is also available with a companion booklet of poetry by Hannah McKittrick and photography by the composers’ close friends.
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From the artists:
We’re thrilled to be able to share this record of an immensely satisfying collaboration. The two of us have been playing jazz gigs together since high school and in mid-2020, we both released albums of our own chamber compositions. We absolutely adored each other’s debut albums and so we formed the idea of writing a new large-ensemble work together.

This piece is an attempt to capture a range of moments of quietude (or stillness) in the natural world. We also focus on some of the fundamental contrasts in music; tension/release, lightness/darkness, composed/improvised, many of which emerged organically through the process of combining both of our writing styles into the one work.

We managed to assemble a remarkable group of young Melbourne musicians to bring the work to life. Writing for a mix of old and new friends was a gratifying experience and our heartfelt thanks go out to the ensemble. It was also a privilege to compose specifically for such an extraordinary venue, so thank you to Fr. John, Bruce and Dawn from St John’s, who welcomed us into their beautiful space.

We are also incredibly grateful to Xavi Bou for kindly allowing us to make use of his artwork. Xavi's stunning photography of birds in flight was an important source of reference material as we were composing and we think this work is the perfect match for our music.

At one point, it seemed like this work could not come together as we had envisioned. COVID-19 restrictions forced the cancellation of the original performance and when restrictions eased, we scrambled to fit in a new date in a gap between lockdowns. While this may have limited the amount of rehearsal possible, we remember feeling an overwhelming sense of joy and connection as we premiered the work, and we think that comes across as you listen to this album.

We’re delighted to be able to share this special moment of performance with a wider audience and thank you for taking the time to listen.
- Pat Jaffe & Callum Mintzis

credits

releases December 19, 2021

This album was recorded on the land of the Wurundjeri People and we wish to acknowledge them as Traditional Owners. We pay our respects to their Elders, past, present and emerging.

Produced by Pat Jaffe & Callum Mintzis

Trombone/Composition | Callum Mintzis
Piano/Composition | Pat Jaffe

Trumpet/Piccolo Trumpet | Niran Dasika & Ashley Ballat
Bass Trombone | Kiran Samuel
Violin | Willard Zhong & Amy You
Viola | Katrina Filshie
Cello | Oscar Woinarski
Double Bass | Helen Svoboda
Pipe Organ | Ned Wright-Smith

Recorded at St John’s Anglican Church, Camberwell by Andrew Robinson
Mixed and Mastered by Theo Carbo
Photography by Xavi Bou (from his series 'Ornitographies', find out more about the project here: www.xavibou.com/index.php/project/about-ornitographies/)
Album/Booklet Design by Brodie McAllister