Australian Music Centre | Breaking sound barriers

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Work Overview

The Tides of Longing is a journey through the themes of hope, loss, and resilience in the face of adversity. It tells the story of Mir, a refugee boy who flees his war-torn homeland and travels via a network of people-smugglers to seek a new life in Australia. As he grapples with his past and an uncertain future, the musical narrative highlights the emotional and psychological impact of displacement and the experiences of those who have been forced to leave their homes.

Work Details

Year: 2023

Instrumentation: 2 Flutes (second doubles Piccolo), 2 Oboes (second doubles Cor Anglais), 2 Clarinets in B flat and A (second doubles Bass Clarinet in B flat), 2 Bassoons, 4 Horns in F, 2 Trumpets in C, 2 Trombones, Bass Trombone, TimpaniPercussion (2 players), Harp, Celeste, Narrator, Children’s Chorus, Chorus, Strings.

Duration: 37 min.

Difficulty: Advanced

Commission note: The Tides of Longing commissioned for WASO by Geoff Stearn & a private Song Book supporter.

First performance: by West Australian Symphony Orchestra, WASO Chorus, Eduardo Strausser, Aquinas College Schola Cantorum, Abimanjou Mathivannan — 28 Apr 23. Perth Concert Hall

Libretto adapted from Jay Emmanuel’s play Children of the Sea, originally presented by Encounter Theatre.