Program - Composition Department Evening Concert

STELLAR CRADLE

Emily Malczewski

For generations, people from every corner of the globe have looked to the stars and wondered, “Are we alone?” One can only hope that the answer is yes, that we are the first living creatures to pass some impossible challenge, which prevents life from existing anywhere else in the universe. But if the answer is no and intelligent alien life has lived and died before us, then we might be headed for the same fate. “Stellar Cradle,” is a lullaby from Earth to life on other worlds in the future. One day, humanity will be gone, but intelligent life elsewhere will find solace in the knowledge that they made it further than we did in the game of evolution. Do not forget that we are protected only by a thin blanket of sky in a constellation of stars. A stellar cradle.

Dizi flute: Michal Rosiak

Cello: Gyorgy: Deri

Wine Glasses: Emily Malczewski

THROUGH THE STORM

Inge Dekker

This work was written to tell the story behind the hymn It is Well. Horatio Spafford, who wrote the lyrics to this hymn, tragically lost all four of his daughters in a shipwreck. However, even in the midst of his suffering, he was able to find hope and peace in God, which is portrayed in the lyrics of the hymn. Through the Storm opens with a foreboding atmosphere that slowly grows in intensity to portray the tragic shipwreck. This is then followed by a sudden slow, mournful section to portray Spafford receiving the letter from his wife telling of his children’s death. The piece later modulates to the relative major and the main theme is heard in the piano, which communicates the idea that Spafford has found peace in God amongst his suffering. This peaceful theme is followed by a fast, energetic section, to show joy being found once again. Finally, the work finishes with the peaceful main theme, ending the piece with the main idea that even in the midst of suffering, God can bring you peace and hope.

Piano: Julia Zhu

Violin 1: Stevie Maston, Daisy Elliot

Violin 2: Julian Lachmund, Chloe McLean

Viola: Sebastien Masel, Edmund Mantelli

Cello: Will Bland

Bass: Charlotte Scanlan

LABYRINTHINE

Bethany Thiele

‘Labyrinthine’ is an exploratory character piece that combines both acoustic and virtual instruments. The title refers to a location that is labyrinth or maze like. In turn, this piece has several rhythmic, harmonic and melodic motifs that are interpreted, mimicked and echoed through all the instruments. This piece was composed with a very specific setting and narrative in mind: “A vast, far reaching labyrinth is splayed out in front of you. Colossal pillars and walls of carved stone supports a roof constructed of domes of stain glass. Water leaks from the roof and trickles down the pillars to pool at your feet. It is remarkably beautiful, if not for the rising panic you feel. You fear you will not be able to find your way out.” The audience however, may see a very different setting when listening to this piece. Every interpretation is welcome. There are only two melodies, with one being far more prominent. Can you hear the second one?

Conductor: Jesse Jones

Flute: Braden Simm

Alto flute: Vittoria von Caemmerer

Oboe: Liam Robinson

Clarinet: Ryan Taylor

Bassoon: Chris Buckley

Contrabassoon: Sam Battock

Percussion: Quinn Ramsey, Dara Williams, Connor Dinneen

Piano: Alex Angus

Synths: Bethany Thiele

WOODPECKER

Zi Hui Chen

Woodpecker is a piece that’s less about the bird and more about the activation of wood to create sound. It is a playful experiment that explores the contrasts and similarities between these woodbased instruments.

Xylophone:

Hermann Bassoon: Chris Buckley

STORIES OF BLUE

Radithya Budi Theomarga & Andrew Udal

"Stories of Blue" is an improvisational piece that we did for the recent Sound Devotion concert. This piece explores the different shades of the color "Blue", in which we will present a wide variety of melodic ideas, dynamics and textures. We invite everyone to experience the mesmerizing connection between the piano, cello and the room! An exciting journey is about to begin...

Piano: Radithya Budi Theomarga Cello: Andrew Udal

FINDING THE WAVE

Maddy Ryan Kerr

“It feels like you ’ ve fallen overboard. You are swimming to get back, but the boat moves steadily away. You can see the lights; you can hear the laughter and the music on the decks. You try to follow. The boat moves away. “ Helena Fox ‘How it Feels to Float’

This piece was inspired by a quote from one of my favourite books, How it Feels to Float by Helena Fox. The idea of ‘floating’ is presented throughout the book as a form of escapism wherein the main character, Biz, creates her own peaceful reality, symbolically escaping turbulent waters threatening to drown her. The first distinct section of the piece establishes the confidence and strength of the ocean, ending with the motion of ‘falling overboard’. A change is felt as the entwining lines of piano and oboe mimic the overlapping of waves and the current sweeping from side to side while the boat continues on. The final section reflects feelings of longing and resolution, breaking out of the 'floating like' state, illustrating the motion of surging forward with renewed hope.

Oboe: Tina Gallo

Piano: Julia Zhu

FUR KRISTINA

FALLING FROM THE TOP OF THE WORLD