Australian Music Centre | Breaking sound barriers

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Work Overview

An analysis of the phenomenon 'opia' as coined in the Dictionary of Obscure Sorrows, defining neologisms for emotions that do not otherwise have a descriptive term.

The piece is presented in three movements: (i) establishing an intimacy between observer and the observed, (ii) blurring the lines between each perspective of observation, (iii) the interactions between these two perspectives and their previous experience defining the framework for thought patterns. Shadows and light move together as one to form a cohesive whole.

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Opia (n.) "the ambiguous intensity of looking someone in the eye, which can feel simultaneously invasive and vulnerable - their pupils glittering, bottomless and opaque - as if you were peering through a hole in the door of a house, able to tell that there's someone standing there, but unable to tell if you're looking in or looking out."

[The Dictionary of Obscure Sorrows]

Work Details

Year: 2018

Instrumentation: 2 violins, viola, cello, flute, oboe, clarinet, French horn, bassoon, percussion.

Duration: 12 min.

Difficulty: Advanced

Contents note: (i) Dusk -- (ii) Rêverie -- (iii) Dawn.

Dedication note: Dedicated to Esbjerg Ensemble

Commission note: Commissioned by Esbjerg Ensemble.. Commissioned for Pulsar Festival 2018

First performance: by Rei Munakata, Esbjerg Ensemble — 2 Mar 18. Syddansk Musikkonservatorium Esbjerg, Denmark

The composer notes the following styles, genres, influences, etc associated with this work:
Nature, Soundscape, Performance Art