Work
Firmament
for wind quintet
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About
This wind quintet was composed in 2004 during my residency with the APO for their Ensemble Philharmonia series, but was first performed by the Gate7 ensemble in 2007. Though the piece has the title implying the sky and the heavens, it isn't strictly programmatic, but more reflective of the moods and colours we witness over our heads.
Themes are developed in a minimalistic fashion and there are three basic movements in a 'fast - slow - fast' pattern, the last being somewhat rondo-like in form. In Firmament, I have attempted to overcome the difficulty of blending very different timbres within a small chamber group.
Commissioned note
Written while Composer-in-Residence for the Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra in 2004, the current score was updated in 2009 for performance by the ACO.
Difficulty note
Wind quintets of high standard.
Contents note
Effectively three movements, though a continuous work.
Performance history
14 Nov 2007: GateSeven concert
03 Dec 2007: Performed by GateSeven - Amanda Slater (flute/piccolo), Louise Cox (oboe), Janina Paulo (clarinet), Lucy O’Neill (bassoon) and Abbey Edlin (horn), conducted by Jusus Rozemond at St Matthew's Collegiate School, in Masterton
19 Jul 2009: ACO: Wax Lyrical
29 Jun 2010: RNZ Concert broadcast ACO
Featuring: Radio New Zealand Concert
07 Sep 2024: ACO presents "Bagatelles"