Recent concert
THURSDAY 17 NOVEMBER, 2022 (7PM)
Sonnet, to the comet of 1825 (for a cappella SATB choir)
Performers: Burgundian Consort, conducted by Sonia Maddock.
Venue: Sir John Clancy Auditorium, 9 High Street Kensington, NSW 2052.
Program: “Simple Gifts”: featuring music by Copland and Lauridsen performed by Collegium Musicum Choir, plus a special performance of Matthew Orlovich’s “Sonnet, to the comet of 1825” performed by The Burgundian Consort!
Tickets: Eventbrite.
Composer’s Note
Sonnet, to the Comet of 1825 (for a cappella SATB choir) was composed in 2017 and won the inaugural Willgoss Choral Composition Prize UNSW. The world premiere performance was given on 20 September 2017 at Sir John Clancy Auditorium, UNSW, by the Burgundian Consort, directed by Sonia Maddock.
My setting takes as its text a poem by Rev. Dr John Dunmore Lang (1799 – 1878). Penned in 1825 while on a voyage from England to Australia aboard the “Medway”, Dunmore Lang’s poem powerfully evokes the sight of a bright comet whose fiery tail, as far as its blaze extends, sweeps the stars and proclaims “th’Almighty’s reign.”
To convey the energy and portent of the poet’s images in my setting, I have sought to use thematic material which is at times fanfaric in nature. I have also utilised choral textures which are kaleidoscopic in effect, whereby layers of voices are kept perpetually in motion by subtle oscillations, akin to cogs and wheels spinning to form part of a greater synchronicity.
I have also sought to score onomatopoeic / atmospheric elements amidst the choral parts from time to time, including sibilant “Shh” sounds, bird-like whistled tones and exhalations. These elements – crafted to bring to mind the sound of crashing waves, sea gull calls, star dust and ‘the mists of time’ – are included as an evocation of Dunmore Lang’s voyage and to bring out the perspective from which he witnessed the great celestial event. – M.O.
Inaugural Willgoss Choral Composition Award
World Premiere Performance
Some of the Known Performances
SATURDAY 19 MAY 2018 *WA Premiere Performance*
Performers: Voyces, directed by Dr Robert Braham.
Program: “Sorry I Missed You”.
Venue: Trinity Uniting Church, 72 St Georges Terrace, Perth, WA, 6000, Australia.
WEDNESDAY 20 SEPTEMBER, 2017 *World Premiere Performance*
Performers: The Burgundian Consort, dir. by Sonia Maddock.
Program: Sacred choral works including Stanford, Eslava, Rutter & di Lasso, plus the premiere performance of Matthew Orlovich’s Sonnet, to the Comet of 1825, winner of the inaugural Willgoss Choral Composition Prize.
Venue: Sir John Clancy Auditorium, UNSW Sydney, Kensington, NSW, Australia.
Score Sample
Availability
Sonnet to the Comet of 1825
(for a cappella SATB choir)
Scores available from
Waratah Music.
Score Details
TITLE:
Sonnet to the Comet of 1825
DATE OF COMPOSITION:
2017
SCORED FOR:
A cappella SATB choir
DURATION:
c. 8 minutes
WORLD PREMIERE:
Wednesday 20th September, 2017: The Burgundian Consort, conducted by Sonia Maddock @ Sir John Clancy Auditorium, UNSW, Kensington, Australia.
PUBLISHER:
Waratah Music
ISMN:
979-0-7202-1512-9 (Printed Edition)
979-0-7202-1513-6 (Digital Download PDF)
Contact me
If you would like more information about this score, feel free to email me.
I look forward to hearing from you!
