Audio Sample
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Performance by Halcyon, Laura Chislett, Geoffrey Gartner, William Jackson from the CD Kingfisher |
Score
Sea-blue bird : for soprano, mezzo-soprano, flute, cello and vibraphone / Kevin March ; text by Alcman.
Library shelf no. 783.126542/MAR 1 [Available for loan]
Work Overview
Legend has it that when "ceryli" (male kingfishers or halcyons) grow old and are no longer able to fly, the females of the species carry them, bearing them upon their wings. The reference to this legend in the text for Sea-blue Bird made it seem ideal for celebrating the 15 years of Halcyon carrying their audiences on their own musical wings.
Work Details
Year: 2014
Instrumentation: Soprano, mezzo-soprano, flute, cello, vibraphone.
Duration: 6 min.
Difficulty: Advanced
Dedication note: Dedicated to Halcyon
Commission note: Commissioned by Halcyon.
First performance: by Halcyon at Kingfisher - Songs for Halcyon (Music Workshop, Sydney Conservatorium of Music) on 15 Mar 2014
This song is one of a collection of chamber works under the title Kingfisher, Songs for Halcyon. The songs were gifts from the composers to celebrate 15 years of music-making by Australia’s leading ensemble for vocal chamber music.
A fabled bird identified with the kingfisher, the halcyon had the power to calm the wind and the waves while it nested on the sea during the winter solstice. The composers took their inspiration from the word 'halcyon', each displaying their own unique voice in writing for singers and instruments. The 21 songs represent the cream of vocal composition in Australia and offer a lasting tribute to the relationships formed between Halcyon and the composers who have written for them over the years.
Text by Alcman.
Performances of this work
15 Mar 2014: at Kingfisher - Songs for Halcyon (Music Workshop, Sydney Conservatorium of Music). Featuring Halcyon.
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