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The Whistling Hens: Big Crass Monster
Naomi Niskala of International Alliance for Women in Music
January 1, 2026
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Melissa Dunphy’s Chants (2023) is based on the life of New Zealand-born artist and occultist Rosaleen "Roie" Norton (1917-1979), who scandalized Australia in the 1950s with her beliefs and sexual practices. Melissa Dunphy's work artfully blends the two musical voices in beautifully intertwining and alternating melodic lines. In particular, Natalie Groom's subtle phrase shaping and graceful legato lines keep long musical threads spinning throughout the third movement, "Crystalline Sparkles," and the wonderful duet lines between Jennifer and Natalie in the fourth movement, "Downstream She Floats," showcase their strong symbiotic musical relationship.
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