Tasmania's landscape is an ever-present source of inspiration to me. The forests, mountains and waterways provided the spark that brought this work into being, but it is less representational in concept than a number of my recent compositions.
Organised in one extended movement, it is nevertheless divided into three main sections. The very slow, quiet opening begins from a single pitch, D, which is gradually extended outwards chromatically, to soon burst out into the spirited first main section. This eventually gives way, after a strong, dissonant climax, to a slower and generally quieter main central section, characterised by an expansive melody beginning and ending on a solo oboe. This section leads in turn to a more flowing third main phase, which, having run its course, returns to a partial reprise of the very opening, which serves as a quiet, peaceful coda, bring the work, as it were, full circle.
Dedicated to the memory of Gwen Harwood.
Instrumentation: 3[1.pic] 3[3.Eh] 3[3.Bcl] 3[3.Cbn] 4331 timp harp str
Perc: chimes, snare drum, suspended cymbal, temple blocks, crotales, glockenspiel, xylophone, bass drum, cymbals
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