Australian Music Centre | Breaking sound barriers

Work Overview

Anniversary Fanfare is a celebratory work composed especially to mark the 40th anniversary of the Ku-ring-gai Philharmonic Orchestra. The music begins with a majestic introductory fanfare, but soon gives way to more up-tempo music whose relentless rhythmic energy is meant to be joyous and exciting, and is largely in a concert overture style. The music is comprised mainly of 'additive' rhythmic structures that allow for the constant alternation between long and short beats, thus keeping the music in an almost continuous state of syncopation and subtle agitation that drives the music forward towards the inevitable climactic moments. The Ku-ring-gai Philharmonic Orchestra have shown extraordinary initiative over their forty year history in not only bringing quality music to the community, but also in their support for the commissioning and performance of music by Australian composers. It has, therefore, been a great honour for me to be able to compose this fanfare that recognizes and celebrates the KPO's remarkable achievements. I also hope that the music can be used to celebrate many other anniversaries for a variety of occasions.
John Peterson, 2012

Work Details

Year: 2012

Instrumentation: 4 horns in F, 3 trumpets in Bb, 2 tenor trombones, bass trombone, tuba, timpani, percussion (2 players: player 1: snare drum, suspended cymbal, tom toms (3) ; player 2: vibraphone, bass drum, suspended cymbal).

Duration: 5 min.

Dedication note: For the Ku-ring-gai Philharmonic Orchestra on the occasion of their fortieth anniversary

First performance: by Ku-ring-gai Philharmonic Orchestra, Ronald Prussing at KPO: 40th Anniversary Spectacular (Pymble Ladies College) on 17 Mar 2012