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Sunda Song written in 2007 for the trio Carisma, Anna Stoddart, flute, Janice Preece, harp and Louise King, cello, was inspired by memories I have of the music of Sunda, West Java and of the street musicians I often heard playing in Bandung and Jogjakarta. Often these street musicians would sing as they played and sometimes spontaneously move into dance. I loved these unexpected encounters which were part of the colorful life of Java and I hope I have captured some of that relaxed and playful spirit in Sunda Song.

This work is programmed on Carisma's latest CD of 'sublime,ambient music' Lily's Eyes ABC 476 6325. (available at all ABC Shops and Centres).

The Javanese pianist/composer Ananda Sukarlan programmed works by Australian and Spanish composers in his recital at the Concert Hall of the Queensland Conservatorium of Music on the 23rd November, 2007. Included was my Merindu Bali...Bali Yearning, which he has performed in New Zealand, Norway, Spain, Scotland, Italy, Sweden, Denmark, Holland and Indonesia in his In Memoriam concerts (programs of piano works written in memory of the victims of the Bali bombing, by composers from around the world). Merindu Bali...Bali Yearning is published by Wirripang, Publishers of Fine Australian Music, http://www.australiancomposers.com.au/ and has been recorded by Sally Mays and programmed on JAD CD 1108 Winter Solstice.

The first Australian performance of Brisbane Waters took place on November 30th, 2007 in the Ian Hanger Recital Hall, Queensland Conservatorium. Originally, the piece was commissioned by the American Bass Clarinetist Ron Wakefield who performed the work in a series of Pacific Rim concerts in California in 1986. The piece was originally performed accompanied by a prepared tape featuring Didgeridu. In the interesting performance given by The Brisbane Bass Clarinet Collective the solo performer Diana Tolmie was supported by an ensemble of bass clarinets taking on the role of the single didgeridu. The Collective looked wonderful standing very still in a circle around the soloist.

Gambar Gambar Jawa Images of Java A song cycle for voice and orchestra

Genesis, Subagio Sastrowardoyo; Asmaradana, Goenawan Mohamad; A Tale Before Sleep, Goenawan Mohamad;

Nina-Bobok, Goenawan Mohamad; Manusia Pertama di Angkasa Luar (First Man in Outer Space), Subagio Sastrowardoyo;

Nawang Wulan, Guardian of Earth and Rice, Subagio Sastrowardoyo. English translations by Dr. Harry Aveling

The World Premiere performance of Betty's new work Gambar- Gambar Jawa...Images of Java , took place on 10th August, 2007 in the Conservatorium Theatre, Southbank, Brisbane. Michael Morgan (pictured left) conducted the Conservatorium Chamber Orchestra.. Soloists were mezzo soprano Victoria Lambourn and baritone Shaun Brown.