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Work

Opal : Double Concerto for Horns and Orchestra

by May Lyon (2021)

Opal

$57.27

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Score

Opal : Double Concerto for Horns and Orchestra / May Lyon.

Library shelf no. 784.289/LYO 1 [Available for loan]

Opal

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Work Overview

With shimmering veins that run through ancient rocks in the Australian outback, opal is one of the most beautiful and sought after gemstones in the world. It is created from both silica and water, combining over a millennia in cracks of stone, wood and fossils.

The combination of two elements that form one gem is represented by the two horns, weaving within the orchestra as opal does within rock, close harmonies creating glimmering frequencies. The slow movement of ancient water is a melodious line shared between each soloist, which progresses to a beautiful stillness that shows off the upper range of the horn. In opposition to this, as human industry cuts around the opal veins, different timbres and bright embellishments are exposed within a mechanistic orchestra.

Work Details

Year: 2021

Instrumentation: 2 solo horns, piccolo/bass flute, oboe, cor anglais clarinet in B flat/clarinet in E flat, clarinet in B flat/bass clarinet in B flat, bassoon, contrabassoon, 2 trumpets in B flat, 2 trombones, tuba, timpani (32”, 29”, 26” & 23”), percussion 1 (tubular bells, suspended cymbal, 3 temple blocks, low tom), percussion 2 (brake drum, marimba, glockenspiel, suspended cymbal), harp, strings.

Duration: 13 min.

Difficulty: Advanced

Contents note: I. SiO2H2O -- II. Cut from rock -- III. Water: ancient streams, flow through sandstone -- IV. Precious opal: play of colour -- V. Cut from rock.

Dedication note: Dedicated to Tim Hannah & Alison McIntosh-Deszcz

Written for: Rachel Shaw, Nicolas Fleury

Commission note: Commissioned by Melbourne Symphony Orchestra.

First performance: by Nicolas Fleury, Rachel Shaw, Melbourne Symphony Orchestra, Benjamin Northey at MSO: Lyon, Barber, Rautavaara (Hamer Hall, Arts Centre Melbourne) on 25 Mar 2021

The composer notes the following styles, genres, influences, etc associated with this work:
Australian mining, opal, Australia, nature, water

Analysis

Resonate article: Insight: Opal - Double Concerto for Horns by May Lyon

Subjects

Performances of this work

17 Jun 23: James Tatoulis Auditorium - MLC - Kew. Featuring Zelman Symphony Orchestra, Richard Shaw, Nicolas Fleury, Rick Prakhoff.

27 Mar 21: Hamer Hall, Arts Centre Melbourne, VIC. Featuring Melbourne Symphony Orchestra, Nicolas Fleury, Rachel Shaw, Benjamin Northey.

26 Mar 21: Hamer Hall, Arts Centre Melbourne, VIC. Featuring Benjamin Northey, Melbourne Symphony Orchestra, Nicolas Fleury, Rachel Shaw.

25 Mar 2021: at MSO: Lyon, Barber, Rautavaara (Hamer Hall, Arts Centre Melbourne). Featuring Nicolas Fleury, Benjamin Northey, Melbourne Symphony Orchestra, Rachel Shaw.

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