Work
The Whale's Song
for cello and piano
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About
The humpback whale is, in many ways, the spirit of the ocean. Through four sections – Chant, Dance, Lament and Chant – The Whale’s Song traces the migratory pattern of the humpback whale as it moves in the Pacific Ocean, through musics of New Zealand, Ecuador, Hawaii, Japan and Papua and New Guinea. ‘Chant’ draws on rhythms of a Maori chant about the sea, and on its return, is joined by the rhythms of a traditional Japanese chant about the sea with amplified cello evoking sounds of the humpback whale. The piece builds from musical ideas begun in another ‘water’ piece, ‘Trewella’, one of a set of three songs to words of poet Tim Malfroy, Three Water Ballads of Tim Malfroy.
The piece was written for cellist Deborah Coogan, who, with the composer, gave the work its first performance at the Aurora Festival, Sydney, 18th April 2008.
Dedication note
Deborah Coogan
Performance history
18 Apr 2008: Performed by Deborah Coogan (cello) and Diana Blom (piano) at Creative Minds Under Construction Award Festival, Sydney
10 May 2008: Performed by Diana Blom (piano) and Deborah Coogan (cello) on ABC Classic FM - New Music Updates
Performed by Deborah Coogan (cello) and Diana Blom (piano)