Mark Saliba J. - Continents

Mark Saliba was born in Sydney Australia in 1968. At a young age, he pursued music, studying piano and percussion. In1991, Mark left for the United States to further his studies as a Jazz pianist. In conjunction with jazz piano he studied composition with leading academics. While living in California, he played professionally as a solo pianist and with various trios and big bands. Returning to Australia in 1997, Mark continued to play piano but decided to focus on his skills as a composer. He has composed many orchestral works with 'The Continents' being his latest project. The Continents is a symphonic suite for full orchestra that travels through some of the regions and countries of each continent, capturing the flavours of their folk music.The six continents of the suite are connected by short interludes that aim to create a contrast in mood by using a darker harmonic structure while linking the theme of one continent to the other. The inspiration for writing The Continents was the composer's desire to create a piece of music that has a universal attribute, so that people from around the world can have some connection with it, through the familiarity of their cultural sound. By blending ethnic and indigenous instruments with a full symphonic orchestra, the composer's intention was to pave the way for an uplifting, energetic and happy ambience.