Australian Music Centre | Breaking sound barriers

Impressions, A Suite in Four Parts, for flute, bassoon, cello, and piano was written in 2025 as the third part of the 'Ballan Trilogy' of commissions (The Ballan Suite for bassoon, cello, and piano- 2022, All Aboard! for flute, bassoon, cello, and piano - 2024).

This final installment of the trilogy takes its inspiration from the Dance-inspired program of the premiere concert. The Suite references common dance movements of a Baroque suite, namely, the Prelude, Allemande, Courante, Sarabande, and Gigue, as well as other more recent dance styles such as the tarantella and tango.

Morning Merriment for flute and piano was first conceived as a work for flute solo, and hence the continuous flute line throughout the movement. The added piano part gives the melodic line a slightly modernized harmonization.

The Mischievous Dancer for cello and piano begins politely, in the manner of an Allemande, a stately German dance, before the dancer (i.e. cello) bursts out into a more sultry and rhythmically taut tango. Although the Allemande figure and decorum returns, the energy of the tango doesn't quite go away.

Momentary Manners for bassoon and piano was first inspired by music of Joseph Boismortier, also programmed in the premiere concert. It begins with the Corrente, an Italian Baroque 'running' dance. This movement may have been inspired by images of school kids trying to behave - and perhaps not run down the corridor?! - with a stately Sarabande-inspired middle section showing a little more restraint.

Swirls and Revels brings all the instruments together. Beginning with a typically last-movement Baroque dance - a Gigue - as its starting point, the instruments take turns with the theme, as well as bringing back their individual melodies from the prior movements. With a mélange of melodies thrown together, the instruments galop/romp their way to the end.

The premiere was given on 25th May 2025 by Wendy Clarke (flute), Elise Millman (bassoon), Miranda Brockman (cello), and Kenji Fujimura (piano).

Each movement can be performed separately.