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Score
On Bunyah : tenor, string quartet, piano / music: Luke Styles ; text: Les Murray.
Library shelf no. 782.87547/STY 1 [Available for loan]
Work Overview
This new song cycle for tenor Mark Padmore (and the Britten Sinfonia in a chamber formation of string quartet and piano) sets a series of 10 poems by Australian poet Les Murray, from his most recent collection, On Bunyah.
The cycle charts a loose narrative and progression of themes, where the tenor can be identified as a 'poet farmer' character. This central figure gives voice to many aspects of Australia (the bush, land, kangaroos, fire, death, machinery and the 20th/21st Century) without sentimentality. The distinctive Australian flavour of this collection of poems embraces the similar experiences and challenges of other rural communities with the 'poet farmer' functioning as both a rural and modern day 'every-man'.
Work Details
Year: 2018
Instrumentation: Tenor voice, 2 violins, viola, cello, piano.
Duration: 30 min.
Difficulty: Advanced
Contents note: 1. The Kettle's Bubble-Making Floor -- 2. Being Spared the Inquest -- 3. The Grief -- 4. The Moon Man -- 5. The Iron Kitchens -- 6. The Sleepout 7. Worker Knowledge -- 8. The Forest Hit by Modern Use -- 9. From Machine Portraits -- 10. Cockspur Bush.
Dedication note: Dedicated to Linda Christmas
Commission note: Commissioned by Britten Sinfonia.
First performance: by Mark Padmore, Britten Sinfonia at On Bunyah (West Road Concert Hall (Cambridge, UK)) on 20 Nov 2018
Shortlisted for the 2019 Paul Lowin Prize. It received a high commendation.
Awards & Prizes
| Year | Award | Placing | Awarded for/to |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | Paul Lowin Song Cycle Prize | Highly Commended | Luke Styles |
Analysis
Resonate article: 2019 Paul Lowin Prizes - finalists announced by Australian Music Centre
Subjects
- In the form/style of: Song Cycles
Performances of this work
5 May 19: Coriole Music Festival, South Australia
23 Nov 2018: at On Bunyah (St Andrew's Hall, Norwich). Featuring Britten Sinfonia, Mark Padmore.
21 Nov 2018: at On Bunyah (Wigmore Hall). Featuring Britten Sinfonia, Mark Padmore.
20 Nov 2018: at On Bunyah (West Road Concert Hall (Cambridge, UK)). Featuring Mark Padmore, Britten Sinfonia.
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