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Sheet Music: ScoreString Quartet No.1 : Processions / James Ledger.Also known as: Processions by James Ledger (2011)
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Product details
When the general manager of the Australian String Quartet, Alison
Beare, and I were in discussions for this commission, she floated
the idea of migration as a theme for the work. I immediately had
an image in my mind of people trudging through snow - which I
think may have come from the film, Dr Zhivago - although I'm not
sure why that image came to me as I hadn't seen the film for over
twenty years. After much thought on the emotions around
displacement and migration, the ideas for Processions
were born.
The piece is in three continuous sections, or processions, that
run continuously after a short introduction. The first procession
is energetic and jubilant music that reflects the optimistic
instances of migration, such as the case of my maternal
grandparents. They emigrated from England after the second world
war when Australia attracted them with the chance of a new and
better life.
The second procession reflects the darker side of human
displacement. Here, there is uncertainty and perhaps numbness
that comes from separation or leaving home. There is a sense of
loss and isolation against a trudging motion that is captured in
this procession.
The whole work was written against the backdrop of two
devastating earthquakes that struck the city of Christchurch, New
Zealand, and then Japan. The third movement is a funeral
procession, in which the instruments glissando slowly downward,
representing a sigh or expression of grief.
Published by: Australian Music Centre — 1 facsimile score (35p. -- A4 (portrait))
Difficulty: Advanced
Duration: 17 mins
Introduction -- Procession I -- Procession II -- Procession III.
Dedicated to Australian String Quartet
Commissioned by Australian String Quartet.
First performance by Australian String Quartet at Australian String Quartet: Cypresses (Perth Concert Hall) on 30 May 2011
This work has been made possible through the generous support of Jean and Geoff Baulsch, Candy Bennett, David and Kate Bullen, Elizabeth Clayton, John Clayton, Robyn and Colin Cowan, Janet and Michael Hayes, Lyn Jaunay, Diana Laidlaw AM, Susan and Keith Langley, Pamela Lawson, Edwina Lehmann, Sue Leitch, Joan Lyons, Anne Marshall, Pam and David McKee, Diana McLaurin, Etelka and John Richards, Jill Russell, Jeanette Sandford-Morgan OAM, Gavin Sandford-Morgan OAM
Typeset edition.
This edition produced 31 Dec 18.
ISMN: 979-0-720125-50-3
Related products
This work is also available in the following products:
CD: National Composers' Forum concert, 2011 / Australian String Quartet
CD: Chamber pieces / James Ledger.
- Browse other works for String Quartets
- Browse other works by James Ledger
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