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Work

Kites : treble choir with piano

by Luke Byrne (2012)

Kites

$30.91

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Score

Kites / music and lyrics by Luke Byrne.

Library shelf no. 782.7542/BYR 2 [Available for loan]

Work Overview

I have a very clear memory of going to the Powerhouse Museum not long after it opened in 1988, and the image that stood out in my mind is of the two artefacts that grab your attention as soon as you walk in: the big green train and the box kites hovering high above it. It probably comes as no surprise that when given the opportunity some twenty-four years later to write pieces of music for other children to sing, my imagination was once again captured by these same exhibits. "Kites" is one result of this abiding fascination.

The piece begins with four chords falling from the piano (over a gentle motor rhythm) to represent Lawrence Hargrave's innovation of stringing four box kites together to fly, followed by the children's choir singing "from idle daydreams come soaring visions", which is effectively a theme for all the pieces inspired by Powerhouse exhibits that I composed. If you would like to know more about Hargrave's kites, please visit the Powerhouse Museum in person or online at http://maas.museum/powerhouse-museum/

Work Details

Year: 2012

Instrumentation: Unison treble choir, piano.

Duration: 3 min.

Difficulty: Easy — Mildly difficult piano accompaniment

Commission note: Commissioned by Sydney Children's Choir.. Commissioned as part of the 2012 Composer-in-Residence program, in association with the Powerhouse Museum. Composed for the Paul Jarman and Dan Walker Choirs.

First performance: by Sydney Children's Choir, Amandine Petit, Sally Whitwell — 24 May 14. Powerhouse Museum Turbine Room, Sydney

This work forms part of a suite of choral works inspired by Powerhouse Museum exhibits and composed within my Composer Residency with Sydney Children's Choir in 2012. It is titled "Powerhouse Collection", and in addition to "Kites" (which is the first movement in the suite) it includes "The Number One Train", "Travelling Companion" and "Visions of the Future".

Performances of this work

24 May 14: Powerhouse Museum Turbine Room, Sydney. Featuring Sydney Children's Choir, Amandine Petit, Sally Whitwell.

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