Metamorphoses

In 1981, American musicologist and composer Christopher Roberts travelled to Papua New Guinea to study the traditional music of the Wopaikim, an isolated Papua group that lives high in the Star Mountains.

On his journey to this inhospitable area, he brought a special instrument: Jack Lemmon’s contrabass, from the famous Billy Wilder’s commedie Some Like It Hot, with Tony Curtiss and Marylin Monroe. On that, he played the solo sonatas for cello by Johann Sebastian Bach, to the surprise and joy of the village inhabitants. Unfortunately no recordings of these performances were made. What we can play in this Metamorphoses, is the trios for three contrabasses that Christopher Roberts made on the occasion of his special trip to New Guinea. As well as the traditional music that inspired him during all of it.

1. (bird imitation) (trad.). field recording Christopher Roberts, Star Mountains, PNG 1981-82
2. Hornbill (Roberts). Christopher Roberts and others.
   Trios For Deep Voices. Cold Blue Music.          (2009). CB0030 
3. Open Up Your Mouth (trad.)
4. Dain Is Going Along (trad.) field recording Christopher Roberts, Star Mountains, PNG 1981-82
5. Kon Burunemo (Roberts). Christopher Roberts and others.
   Trios For Deep Voices. Cold Blue Music.   (2009). CB0030
6. Dimiap’s Sugar Cane (trad.). field recording Christopher Roberts, Star Mountains, PNG 1981-82
7. Around The Hearth (Roberts). Christopher Roberts and others.
   Trios For Deep Voices. Cold Blue Music. (2009). CB0030
8. (bird imitation) (trad.). field recording Christopher Roberts, Star Mountains, PNG 1981-82
9. Flying (Roberts). Christopher Roberts and others.
   Trios For Deep Voices. Cold Blue Music.          (2009). CB0030
10. White Cockatoo On A Hill (trad.). field recording Christopher Roberts, Star Mountains, PNG 1981-82
11. Mesto (Roberts). Christopher Roberts and others.
    Trios For Deep Voices. Cold Blue Music           (2009). CB0030
12. A Biri Bird Screams (trad.)
13. Gan e o a ! (trad.)
14. (bird imitation) (trad.). field recording Christopher Roberts, Star Mountains, PNG 1981-82
15. Travelling Alone (Roberts)
16. Remote Stories (Roberts) Christopher Roberts.
    Last Cicade Singing-New Music For Solo Qin. Cold Blue Music.(2009) CB0034
    Special thanks to the Centrale Discotheek Rotterdam