Kay Dreyfus
Published: 2020-07-22
Total Pages: 56
Get eBook
This book is a snapshot pictorial performance history of what is possibly George Dreyfus's most frequently played composition, "The Adventures of Sebastian the Fox". The music first appeared in 1963 as accompaniment to Tim Burstall's 13-episode children's television series, for which Dreyfus wrote some 120 minutes of music. In 1968 he made a suite consisting of eight of the main musical pieces which he subsequently arranged for a dozen different ensembles, many of which have been recorded. The movements of the Suite are connected by short descriptive narrations, particularly suitable for children. These exist in English, German, Chinese, Russian, Hebrew and Yiddish, indicating the performances the Suite has had throughout the world, within Australia, throughout Europe, and from China to Paraguay. Dreyfus (a bassoon player) has personally used the Suite over the 60 years since it was created as a vehicle for making music with and for young people in a variety of educational situations: in metropolitan, regional and outback Australia, on tours and in residencies in Europe and China.In 2005, Dreyfus and his composer son Jonathan created arrangements, for small ensemble, of the music for four episodes of the original TV series, which were then performed 'live' to film to youth theatre audiences and school groups throughout Australia, in Germany and in Switzerland."The Adventures of Sebastian the Fox" has represented Australian music in many countries, has brought enjoyment to hundreds (if not thousands) of listeners, appeals across generations, and has proved uniquely durable. The photographs capture a selection of many different performance situations. They are at once a celebration of music making and a tribute to the joyous, democratic resourcefulness of the composer.
