Frederick Septimus Kelly, born in Sydney in 1881, was on the way to becoming one of Australia's most important early composers when he was killed during the Battle of the Somme in 1916. His Twelve Studies and 24 Monographs are the most significant contributions to the Romantic piano literature by any Australian, although they have never been recorded in their entirety before now. The influence of Chopin and Skryabin is plain to hear, although the pastoral echoes of the gentler pieces suggest an affinity with his English contemporaries - men like Elgar, Ireland and Vaughan Williams - and the wild sweep of the more passionate numbers points to Kelly's familiarity with the music of Brahms and Schumann. Each piece, though a 'miniature', contains a world of feeling and emotional resonance, suggesting that Kelly stood on the threshold of greatness.
1 Twelve Studies, Op. 9-No. 1 in F Major Allegro Maestoso
2 Twelve Studies, Op. 9-No. 2 in B Flat minor Scorrevole
3 Twelve Studies, Op. 9-No. 3 in F Sharp Major Allegro Grazioso
4 Twelve Studies, Op. 9-No. 4 in E Flat minor Allegro Non Troppo
5 Twelve Studies, Op. 9-No. 5 in B minor Adagio Espressivo
6 Twelve Studies, Op. 9-No. 6 in D Major Tempo Rubato
7 Twelve Studies, Op. 9-No. 7 in G minor Allegro Molto
8 Twelve Studies, Op. 9-No. 8 in E Flat Major Poco Allegretto
9 Twelve Studies, Op. 9-No. 9 in G Sharp minor Vivace E Molto Leggiero
10 Twelve Studies, Op. 9-No. 10 in E Major Allegro Moderato
11 Twelve Studies, Op. 9-No. 11 in C minor Allegro Commodo
12 Twelve Studies, Op. 9-No. 12 in D minor Allegretto
13 Twelve Studies, Op. 9-No. 12 a in a Major Allegro
14 24 Monographs, Op. 11-No. 1 in C Major Allegro
15 24 Monographs, Op. 11-No. 2 in E minor Andante Quasi Allegretto
16 24 Monographs, Op. 11-No. 3 in B Major Poco Allegretto
17 24 Monographs, Op. 11-No. 4 in G Sharp minor Maestoso
18 24 Monographs, Op. 11-No. 5 in E Major Adagio Sostenuto
19 24 Monographs, Op. 11-No. 6 in a Minor Espressivo
20 24 Monographs, Op. 11-No. 7 in a Major Allegro Maestoso
21 24 Monographs, Op. 11-No. 8 in C Sharp minor Allegro Molto
22 24 Monographs, Op. 11-No. 9 in a Flat Major Allegretto Con Grazia, Ma Semplice
23 24 Monographs, Op. 11-No. 10 in F minor Molto Agitato
24 24 Monographs, Op. 11-No. 11 in D Flat Major Poco Allegretto
25 24 Monographs, Op. 11-No. 12 in F Sharp minor Allegro Agitato
26 24 Monographs, Op. 11-No. 13 in G Flat Major Semplice, Senza Rigidità
27 24 Monographs, Op. 11-No. 14 in B Flat minor Vivace Ma Non Troppo Presto
28 24 Monographs, Op. 11-No. 15 in F Major Allegretto Pastorale
29 24 Monographs, Op. 11-No. 16 in D minor Andante Con Moto E Sempre Ben Marcato
30 24 Monographs, Op. 11-No. 17 in B Flat Major Allegretto Grazioso
31 24 Monographs, Op. 11-No. 18 in E Flat minor Allegretto Sostenuto
32 24 Monographs, Op. 11-No. 19 in E Flat Major Maestoso
33 24 Monographs, Op. 11-No. 20 in G minor Sofferente E Sovento Mancando - Allegretto
34 24 Monographs, Op. 11-No. 21 in D Major Grandioso E Non Troppo Presto
35 24 Monographs, Op. 11-No. 22 in B minor Allegretto Dolente
36 24 Monographs, Op. 11-No. 23 in G Major Con Amore Ma Non Senza Sentimento
37 24 Monographs, Op. 11-No. 24 in C minor Allegro Largamente
Frederick Septimus Kelly, born in Sydney in 1881, was on the way to becoming one of Australia's most important early composers when he was killed during the Battle of the Somme in 1916. His Twelve Studies and 24 Monographs are the most significant contributions to the Romantic piano literature by any Australian, although they have never been recorded in their entirety before now. The influence of Chopin and Skryabin is plain to hear, although the pastoral echoes of the gentler pieces suggest an affinity with his English contemporaries - men like Elgar, Ireland and Vaughan Williams - and the wild sweep of the more passionate numbers points to Kelly's familiarity with the music of Brahms and Schumann. Each piece, though a 'miniature', contains a world of feeling and emotional resonance, suggesting that Kelly stood on the threshold of greatness.
