A thought-provoking original composition that is overlayed with spoken word also original by the composer. It explores the metaphor of a lunar eclipse and what this might mean as a point of reckoning in life. Ambient, eerie, poignant.

Lunar Eclipse

So many emotions arise when connecting to the sea. This piece describes a long journey of hope, anticipation. Delving and discovering the deep whilst travelling to the other side.

Performed live at the Port Fairy Spring Music Festival by the following artists:

STEFAN CASSOMENOS
Piano
MONICA CURRO
Violin
JENNY KHAFAGI
Violin
JASON BUNN
Viola
MICHAEL DAHLENBURG
Cello
EMMA SULLIVAN
Double Bass


Arranged for strings and piano by Stefano Cassomenos, composed by Shauntai Batzke and Recorded live by Justin Williams @ixplainit.com

At Sea

At First Sight is about discovering a secret place for the first time. Walking into a world of magical purity, innocence, strength and beauty.

Performed live at the closing concert of the Port Fairy Spring Music Festival 2019 by the exceptional Port Fairy Spring Music Festival 2019 Orchestra, under the baton of Conductor Fabion Russell and orchestrated by Maestro Stefan Cassomenos.
Composed by: Shauntai Batzke

Recorded live by Justin Williams @ixplainit.com

At First Sight

SILENCE in the Age of Noise
16/6/20

"The Sound of Silence

Silence has a sound
And sound is not just sound.

In search of the silence within
A space, where there is peace
Room to truly allow myself
To breathe and hold release.

Not travelling here nor there
Simply listening fiercely
Beyond the daily hum
To hear the quietness clearly.

Constant movement of wind
Which seems to have voice
A resonance I can tune to
Through stillness and choice.

Layers of sound in a given moment
Some familiar, others less so,
I was greeted today
By beauty in the undertow.

Croak of distant frog
Primal voice amidst the fog."

Connor Taylor

The Sound of Silence

Beyond Here and Now

"Time moves on
An elusive entity
Neither tangible or visible
Yet evidently true and real.

Perception morphs
Serving current needs
A shapeshifting swirl
Which forms my reality.

Those dark clouds above
I know them well
Shading my lens
With a brutal sincerity.

Much is a blur
As the seasons turn
Weeks become months
The beginning of an end.

I start to wonder
In this place of juncture
Am I living
In another dimension
Beyond here and now?"

Connor Taylor

Beyond Here and Now

HELD
22/8/20

That safe space
Embodied in green
Calm and centred
Effect of ethene.

Massive leaf
Hammock to lie
Suspended from all
With the goldeneye.

Noise dissolves
Surrounded instead
By glowing warmth
The charm's figurehead.

Solid ball of light
Fire of my soul
Floating free
Shielded in this atoll.

Golden snitch
Elusive most days
Hosted in the realm
Within my gentle gaze.

Connor Taylor

Held

Grounding Energy
7/10/20

Rooted through energy
Which encircles my being
Flowing from body
Down into earth's core
Then returns warm
Gentle and safe.

A stasis is found
Here in this moment
Where body, mind and soul
Are connected as one.

Peace emanates,
In a realm untouchable
Slowing the breath
Quieting the mind.

Finding this space
Anchors the mind
Centres the body
Soothes the soul.

It is one. It is unified.
It is grounding energy. 

Connor Taylor