Australian Music Centre | Breaking sound barriers

Work Overview

A setting of two powerful texts commemorating the darkest moment of World War Two for Australians at the point when a Japanese invasion seemed imminent especially given the bombing of Darwin. The texts chosen are as follows:

Texts

1. De profundis clamavi ad te, Domine;

Domine, exaudi vocem meam.

Fiant aures tuæ intendentes

In vocem deprecationis meæ.

[From the depths, I have cried out to you, O Lord;

Lord, hear my voice.

Let your ears be attentive

To the voice of my supplication.

Translation of Latin text from Psalm 130.]

2. When in the hour of utmost need

we know not where to look for aid,

when days and nights of anxious thought

no help or counsel yet have brought.

[Lutheran chorale, Wenn wir in höchsten nöten, Genevan Psalter c.1543.]

Work Details

Year: 2025

Instrumentation: SATB choir, 2 flutes, oboe, cor anglais, clarinet in B flat, bass clarinet, alto saxophone, bassoon, contrabassoon; 4 French horns in F, 3 trumpets in C, 2 tenor trombones, bass trombone, tuba, timpani, 3 percussion, harp, piano, strings.

Duration: 6 min.

Difficulty: Medium

Commission note: Commissioned by Australian War Memorial.. Commissioned by Flowers of War and the Australian War Memorial for the World War Two memorial concerts, Canberra, August 2025

First performance: by Canberra Symphony Orchestra, Brisbane Chamber Choir, Jessica Cottis — 15 Aug 25. World War Two 80th Anniversary Concert. Lewellyn Hall, ANU, Canberra