Work
String Quartet No.1 : Processions : string quartet
by James Ledger (2011)
Also known as: Processions
Audio Sample
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Performance by Australian String Quartet from the CD Chamber pieces |
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Score
String Quartet No.1 : Processions / James Ledger.
Library shelf no. 785.714/LED 1 [Available for loan]
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Work Overview
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.
Work Details
Year: 2011
Instrumentation: 2 violins, viola, cello.
Duration: 17 min.
Difficulty: Advanced
Contents note: Introduction -- Procession I -- Procession II -- Procession III.
Dedication note: Dedicated to Australian String Quartet
Commission note: 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
Performances of this work
19 Feb 2014: at ANAM Quartetthaus (Perth Writers Festival Precinct, Uni of WA). Featuring Musicians of the National Academy of Music.
29 Jul 13: featuring Australian String Quartet.
28 Jul 2013: at Australian Festival of Chamber Music (Townsville Civic Theatre). Featuring Australian String Quartet.
13 Sep 2012: at ANAM Quartetthaus (ANAM Quartetthaus).
14 Aug 2012: at Australian Voices - James Ledger curated by Paul Dean (Melbourne Recital Centre). Featuring Musicians of the National Academy of Music.
14 Aug 11: Hartley Concert Room, Elder Conservatorium of Music, Adelaide. Featuring Australian String Quartet.
9 Jun 2011: at Australian String Quartet: Cypresses (City Recital Hall). Featuring Australian String Quartet.
7 Jun 2011: at Australian String Quartet: Cypresses (Conservatorium Theatre, Brisbane). Featuring Australian String Quartet.
3 Jun 2011: at Australian String Quartet: Cypresses (Melbourne Recital Centre). Featuring Australian String Quartet.
1 Jun 2011: at Australian String Quartet: Cypresses (Adelaide Town Hall). Featuring Australian String Quartet.
30 May 2011: at Australian String Quartet: Cypresses (Perth Concert Hall). Featuring Australian String Quartet.
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