Australian Music Centre | Breaking sound barriers

Work Overview

Everyone can sing regardless of whether or not they can carry a tune. People have been singing across different cultures for centuries. Even if you're not a trained vocalist there's a good chance you'll sing in the shower, around the house, or even in the rain.

What you sing often reflects your frame of mind, or indeed can change your mindset. I wrote this collection of songs while I was travelling. I was surrounded by the sounds of a language I didn't know and was often thinking of the past and of home. The aim of this work was to combine the feeling of unfamiliarity with the familiar sound of singing.

There's something powerful about the sound of a single voice. Vocal sounds are primarily how we communicate. Singing is sometimes how we soothe ourselves or others, or come to terms with what is happening in day to day life.

'Linger' centers on the theme of reflection, of looking back and seeking understanding of what is occuring now, and what has come before. And sometimes in those moments of focus between the questions you may catch glimmers of insight, like strings resonating sympathetically after a note lingers.

Work Details

Year: 2015

Instrumentation: Soprano.Vocalist is to sing into the piano while the sustain pedal is depressed. This will make the strings resonate with the voice.

Duration: 13 min.

Difficulty: Advanced

Contents note: Train ride -- Mirror -- Fixate -- Yen.

First performance: 11 Oct 15. Lebowskis, Brunswick East Vic