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Event
CIMF 2017: The Art of Speech
- Date: Sunday, 7 May 2017, 2pm
- Venue: National Gallery of Australia — Parkes Place, Parkes, Canberra, ACT
- Series: This event is part of the Canberra International Music Festival 2017 series
- Tickets: Adult: $57 | Conc.: $52 | U30: $30 | U18: $25 | Student Rush: $25 — Tickets can be purchased online or by phone on (02) 6230 5880
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
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