Work
Transfigured Continent : for amplified bowed cymbal, indeterminate ensemble and film
by Peter McNamara (2016)
Audio Sample
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Performance by Sideband from the CD Selected Works by AMC Represented Artists, vol. 84. |
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Non-Commercial
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CD
Selected Works by AMC Represented Artists, vol. 84.
Library shelf no. CD 2854 [Available for loan]
Display all products featuring this work (1 more) 
Work Overview
Transfigured Continent is a very free and indeterminate work that depicts the often dramatic and harsh transitions that can occur in the Australian landscape. Images that capture these transitions have been projected onto surfaces of historic buildings, adding a sense of depth and interest, and made into a silent film. The live ensemble, which is indeterminate apart from the bowed cymbal, is used to accompany this film in a very similar way to the musical accompaniment used in the silent film era.
The bowed cymbal is the foundation of the work's musical accompaniment. By placing different implements on the cymbal at different points, a variety of ethereal pitches emerge, to which the ensemble must tune and expand upon using tablature (a notation system outlining simple interval patterns either up or down from the tuned pitch). Transfigured Continent begins by emphasising firstly images that feature flooding, then drought, snow, bushfires and finally regeneration.
Work Details
Year: 2016
Instrumentation: Cymbal (amplified), 2 wind instruments (can be woodwind and/or brass) and 1 bowed string instrument and projected video.
Duration: 11 min.
Difficulty: Medium — Uses free rhythm and performers are required to tune to the pitches from a bowed cymbal and coordinate with a film
Commission note: Commissioned by Sideband.
First performance: by Sideband at Sideband: Continents (St Luke's Anglican Church (Enmore)) on 23 Apr 2017
The composer notes the following styles, genres, influences, etc associated with this work:
Australian Landscape, Indeterminacy, multi-media
Subjects
- Inspired by: Landscape and Nature
Performances of this work
23 Apr 2017: at Sideband: Continents (St Luke's Anglican Church (Enmore)). Featuring Sideband.
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