This setting of Henry Lawson’s poem The Song and the Sigh was commissioned by Barker College Music Centre and Friends of Barker Music for performance by Blokes of Barker, conducted by Mr James Allington.

The premiere performance took place at the 2011 Pemulwuy National Male Voice Festival, in Brisbane, Australia.

The poem describes a creek that winds its way through the countryside with a broken song, passing under the sheoaks high, around the foot of the hillside brown, into the swamp of the Dead Man’s Crime (where the curlews cry), then ever onward upon a song and a sigh.

My setting comprises three continuous sections. The outer sections contain music of a vigourous nature, while the middle section depicts the hush of the swamp of the Dead Man’s Crime.

Inspired by the poet’s image of a wandering creek, I have scored a prominent melodic line which runs the length of the work.

I gratefully acknowledge Barker College Music Centre and Friends of Barker Music for commissioning the work. I also warmly thank Mr James Allington and Blokes of Barker for affording the work its world premiere performance.

Matthew Orlovich.
Composer.

Prize-Winning Performance by The Kelly Gang @ 2015 Boroondara Eisteddfod.
Directed by Noel Ancell OAM, The Kelly Gang have won the 2015 Boroondara Eisteddfod “18 & Under A Cappella Choral Category” with a selection of works including “The Song and the Sigh”. Congratulations, The Kelly Gang!

The Australian Boys Choir & The Kelly Gang – 16th International Tour to New Zealand
Together with The Australian Boys Choir, The Kelly Gang toured New Zealand from 24 September to 2 October, 2015. During their 16th International Tour, they performed to audiences in Auckland, Cambridge, Rotorua, Wanganui and Wellington.