Australian Music Centre | Breaking sound barriers

Work Overview

This work for Wind Symphony is a homage to the composer Mark-Anthony Turnageʼs work entitled Three Screaming Popes. The most striking element of Turnageʼs piece, and what initially drew me to this work, was his ability to replicate a scream. Towards the end of his piece four visceral screams can be heard punctuating a fragile silence, leaving the listener stunned and uncertain if another is to occur.

Throughout my work, I have sought to expand one of Turnageʼs screams into an entire five- minute gesture. The work commences from nothing and gradually builds in frustration and agitation. Melodies become displaced and thrust into uncertain and contrasting textures. A filigree of confused scales occur at different rates simultaneously, before reaching a point of no return. All that is left is anger.

Work Details

Year: 2024

Instrumentation: Piccolo, 2 flutes, 2 oboes, cor anglais, clarinet in E flat, 3 clarinets in B flat, bass clarinet in B flat, 2 bassoons, contrabassoon, soprano saxophone, alto saxophone, tenor saxophone, baritone saxophone, 4 horns in F, 3 trumpets in B flat, 2 trombones, bass trombone, 2 euphoniums, tuba, 5 timpani, 3 percussion (suspended cymbals, ratchet, triangle, bass drum, vibraphone, crotales).

Duration: 5 min.

Commission note: Commissioned by Sydney Conservatorium Wind Symphony.

All brass require a straight mute.