Australian Music Centre | Breaking sound barriers

Event Details

CONCERT 21
The Art of Speech

Australian rhetoric in music

Brisbane-based Topology and The Australian Voices combine forces to create a musical backdrop for some of the most iconic moments in Australian history, such as Robert Menzies’ Declaration of War, Gough Whitlam’s "Well May We Say" and Julia Gillard’s Misogyny speech. Powerful words, stirring music and brilliant choral work come together to celebrate the moments that shaped our nation.

PROGRAM

Part 1: Australians

Robert Helpmann
Arthur Boyd
Lost in Light
Judith Wright
David Malouf
Round Roads
Percy Grainger

Part 2:  The Singing Politician

"Nope nope nope" - Tony Abbott
"Melancholy Duty" - Robert Menzies
"The Dark Hour" -  Billy Hughes
"One thing remains" - John Curtin
"We will rise" - James Scullin
"I lie sent men to ease" - Malcolm Fraser
"The Dismissal" - Gough Whitlam
"Remembrance Day" - Bob Hawke
"The reward for public life" - Noel Pearson
"Persistence" - John Howard
"We took the children" - Paul Keating
"A stain on our soul" - Tony Abbott
"We apologise" - Kevin Rudd
"Not now, not ever" - Julia Gillard
"Unrepresentative swill" (various)

All music by Robert Davidson (b.1965), except:
"Nope, nope, nope" by Gordon Hamilton (b. 1982)
"The Dark Hour" by Gordon Hamilton
"I lie sent men to ease"  by John Babbage

Durations: 35' - interval - 55'

TOPOLOGY, directed by Robert Davidson

    John Babbage, saxophones
    Christa Powell, violin
    Bernard Hoey, viola
    Robert Davidson, double bass
    Therese Milanovic, piano

THE AUSTRALIAN VOICES and LUMINESCENCE CHAMBER SINGERS directed by Gordon Hamilton

Further information for this event is available online at the event's website or by phone on (02) 6230 5880 or by email to info@cimf.org.au

Featured Australian Works

	Melancholy duty : for SATB choir, chamber ensemble and pre-recorded sound (2015) by Robert Davidson — performed by The Australian Voices, Luminescence Chamber Singers, Gordon Hamilton and Topology
	Not now, not ever : for recorded Julia Gillard speech and chorus (2014) by Robert Davidson — performed by The Australian Voices, Gordon Hamilton and Luminescence Chamber Singers
	The Dismissal : SATB choir with accompaniment by Robert Davidson — performed by The Australian Voices, Gordon Hamilton, Topology and Luminescence Chamber Singers
	The Reward for public life : electroacoustic by Robert Davidson — performed by Topology
	Unrepresentative Swill : SATB choir (2015) by John Babbage and Robert Davidson
	We apologise : electroacoustic (2012) by Robert Davidson — performed by Topology

Featured artists

• Music of Robert Davidson
• Music of Gordon Hamilton
• Performer The Australian Voices
• Performer Luminescence Chamber Singers
• Performer Topology