Description
Duration 4:00 min
This work was composed on Ngunnawal/Ngambri Country (Canberra, ACT).
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The original choral work "Resonance" explores the process of a little note growing into the power of song, with lyrics by Kirsten Duncan. The piece celebrates the unifying and transformative power of song, showcasing the beauty and passion of a capella voices.
The result is a metaphorical journey that ‘speaks across all divides’ and resonates within. Greenaway’s setting of Duncan’s poem seeks colour and texture with clusters, sustained harmonic passages, melodic counterpoint and feature moments for soloists. The composing approach is inspired loosely on the musical styles of Reynaldo Hahn and Eric Whitacre.
It has been meticulously arranged for Wind Ensemble by Matt Klohs, who always loves to bring Sally's orchestral and choral music to life in the Wind Ensemble setting. The piece should be performed with as little vibrato as possible, to maximise the intonation in the harmony.
This piece was commissioned by Kirsten Duncan and The Resonants for their 25th anniversary as a singing ensemble, 2015.
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Resonance, by Kirsten Duncan
A sound begins deep inside.
Softly, searching, sound emerges,
Whisp’ring, rising, set adrift...
Fragile ember floating
On warm breath Into the void.
Silence...
A note so intimate It carries us into the unknown.
A spark, the embers combining,
Nurturing the passion to sing.
Voices surrounding,
Notes string into melody,
Creative humanity,
Aching beauty,
The splendour of harmony speaks ‘cross all divides.
The universal joy,
The power of song.
Amen
These lyrics are Copyright © Kirsten Duncan 2015.
All rights reserved.
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Instrumentation: Flute 1 2, Oboe, Bassoon, Bb Clarinet 1 2 3, Bass Clarinet, Alto Sax 1 2, Tenor Sax, Baritone Sax, F Horn 1 2, Trumpet 1 2 3, Trombone 1 2, Bass Trombone, Euphonium (BC & TC), Tuba, Timpani, Suspended Cymbal, Glockenspiel, Vibraphone