Terra Australis Incognita (3 movts) – International Premiere of new double reed version
Fresh, contemporary Australian music for Double Reed Trio, played by three of Adelaide’s favourite musicians:
Celia Craig – Oboe
Mark Gaydon – Bassoon
Michael Ierace – Piano
THAILAND Bangkok – Mahidol University
International Double Reed Society Conference – 18-22 July, 2023
Info: https://www.idrs2023.org/
Program: Beaugeais, Poulenc, Chindamo.
Concert Program Note – Oboe, Bassoon, Piano version
Terra Australis Incognita (2023) for oboe, bassoon and piano portrays the search, exploration and mystery of the imaginary continent ‘Terra Australis Incognita’
(“unknown land of the South”) that appeared on European maps from the 15th to 18th Century. Atmospheric contemporary playing techniques such as soothing multiphonics, wide vibrato, quarter-tone trills and bird sound effects represent the sounds of nature and landscape of Australia.
Terra Australis Incognita contains three movements.
It was originally composed in 2022 for soprano saxophone, cello, piano, and premiered by Collide (Joseph Lallo, Yelian He, Yasmin Rowe) at Melbourne’s Athenaeum Theatre.
This new double reed version is dedicated to Celia Craig, Mark Gaydon and Michael Ierace, who will perform the international premiere at the 2023 International Double Reed Society in Bangkok, Thailand.
Opening with soft, eerie, distant piano chords and bird-like pitch bend effects on the oboe, slow, emerging, lyrical melodic lines begin to resonate.
The second movement – Australis – begins with the oboist performing as a bird.
The whole ensemble gradually merges together with “molto espressivo e passionato” melodies, showcasing the lush, heavenly and shining colours that the oboe, bassoon and piano can create.
The final movement contains a fast, loud, dance-like character. Thick chordal harmonies, complex syncopated rhythms, metre changes, extreme registers and rapid glissando trill effects build to a powerful and exhilarating climax, displaying the technical virtuosity of all players.
Program Note by Katia Beaugeais – March 2023, Sydney.
For more info see recent premiere of Soprano sax, cello, piano version:
https://www.newmusicblock.com/event/3mbs-radio-marathon-katia-beaugeais-terra-australis-incognita-saxophone-cello-piano/
