Score
Tropic : for orchestra / Peter Sculthorpe.
Library shelf no. 784.2/SCU 17 [Available for loan]
Work Overview
Tropic takes its name from a work that I wrote for
chamber ensemble in 1992. Both were inspired by the landscapes of
Australia's so-called Top End. The present work, having been
written for the Queensland Youth Orchestra, was inspired by
places around Cape York, in Queensland's far north. It consists
of one movement, made up of four inter-related sections: 'A
Mission Hymn', 'Reef Singing', 'Dua Chant' and 'A
Celebration'.
'A Mission Hymn' is an idealized version of the kind of music
that missionaries introduced to the area in the nineteenth
century. Before its concluding Amen, there is an episode of
bird-song, flights of birds being an important part of the local
Indigenous culture. Sounds of birds, especially seagulls, are
also heard elsewhere in the work.
The second section, 'Reef Singing', is based upon a melody that I
used in the chamber work of 1992. Upon its repeat a counter-point
is added, recalling the downward-turning intervals of 'A Mission
Hymn'. The whole section suggests the carefree music of the
tropical islands of Torres Strait. It leads into 'Dua Chant', one
of my favourite Indigenous melodies.
'A Celebration' opens with a fully-scored version of music stated
in the second section, building to the climax of the work. It
celebrates the Australian Federal Government's apology to
Indigenous peoples in February 2008. With past wrongs finally
acknowledged, Australia is now at the beginning of true
nationhood. This is the underlying theme of the work.
Work Details
Year: 2008
Instrumentation: 2 flutes, 2 oboes, 2 clarinets in B flat, 2 bassoons, 4 horns in F, 3 trumpets in C, 3 trombones, tuba, timpani, percussion (2 players), strings.
Duration: 10 min.
Contents note: I. A mission hymn -- II. Reef dreaming -- III. Dua chant -- IV. A celebration.
Dedication note: Dedicated to John Curro
Written for: Queensland Youth Orchestra
Commission note: Commissioned by Australia Council, Queensland Youth Orchestra, Ars Musica Australis.
First performance: by Queensland Youth Orchestra, John Curro — 12 Jun 08. QPAC Concert Hall, Brisbane
Performances of this work
12 Jun 08: QPAC Concert Hall, Brisbane. Featuring Queensland Youth Orchestra, John Curro.
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