Audio Sample
|
Performance by Verdehr Trio from the CD Music from Down Under |
Selected products featuring this work — Display all products (1 more)
$POA
This item may be available to purchase from the Australian Music Centre.
Please contact our Sales Department to confirm pricing and availability.
Display all products featuring this work (1 more)
Work Overview
During the 1990s, I began a series of works that incorporate material suggested by the indigenous music of northern Australia, together with Balinese gamelan-like figurations and bird-song. These works were inspired by Bruce Chatwin's book, Songlines. In it, Chatwin writes about the Aboriginal concept of totemic ancestors singing themselves into existence and journeying across the land with their songs. Dreamtracks and From Nourlangie, both written for the Verdehr Trio, are two of these works.
The present work was written especially for the Verdehr Trio, for
first performance in the National Aquarium in Baltimore. An
enormous replica of a river gorge, like those found in
Australia's Northern Territory in Umbrawarra and Kakadu, has been
built inside the aquarium. It houses freshwater crocodiles, long
neck turtles, flying foxes and all the species of flora and fauna
that exist in such gorges.
In one movement, the music of Baltimore Songlines, is
self-explanatory. Apart from the opening, which is based upon an
indigenous lullaby, all the material, especially the tumbling
chant that follows the lullaby, was inspired by visits to the
Northern Territory. Towards the end of the work, a section for
solo piano suggests the music of the didjeridu, an instrument
that has its origins in Australia's north.
I feel that Baltimore Songlines is the summation of my
so-called 'Songlines period'. Unlike the other works in the
series, some of its thematic material tends to recede over the
course of the work, giving way to new ideas. In this way, I was
able to suggest both journeying and the continual renewal of the
natural world.
Work Details
Year: 2006
Instrumentation: Clarinet, piano, violin.
Duration: 16 min.
Dedication note: Dedicated to Verdehr Trio
Commission note: Commissioned by Embassy of Australia (Washington D.C.), Michigan State University for performance by Verdehr Trio.. Commissioned by the Australian Embassy in Washington D.C., the Baltimore Aquarium, and Michigan State University
First performance: by Verdehr Trio — 26 Oct 06. Baltimore Aquarium, Baltimore, USA
Subjects
- Inspired by: Australia
- Inspired by: Indigenous Australian Culture
Performances of this work
25 Jun 2015: at ANAM fellowship performance: Musical Chairs (South Melbourne Town Hall). Featuring ANAM Musicians.
25 May 2013: at Australia Ensemble in concert (Sir John Clancy Auditorium). Featuring Australia Ensemble.
26 Oct 06: Baltimore Aquarium, Baltimore, USA. Featuring Verdehr Trio.
User reviews
Be the first to share your thoughts, opinions and insights about this work.
To post a comment please login.