A Gathering (2021)
10 minutes
for SATB Chamber Choir
Commissioned by Carl Crossin and the Adelaide Chamber Singers.
First performances by the Adelaide Chamber Singers as part of Program 1 of their 2021 season "Renewal", May 14-16th, 2021.
A Gathering was a finalist for Work of the Year- Choral in the 2022 Art Music Awards.
10 minutes
for SATB Chamber Choir
Commissioned by Carl Crossin and the Adelaide Chamber Singers.
First performances by the Adelaide Chamber Singers as part of Program 1 of their 2021 season "Renewal", May 14-16th, 2021.
A Gathering was a finalist for Work of the Year- Choral in the 2022 Art Music Awards.
Gathering
Out of the enigma of our lives, this mystery.
Out of many different moments, love.
Despite the brittleness of sentiment, and words
too brutal for the feeling, still a joy
harboured closely, often shut away,
but efflorescent on the sunlit days
that contradict the winter. Out of words
a structure for the inexpressible,
an approximation of a green emotion
that buds, and blooms, defoliates, and buds.
Because of the end of blooming, disappointment,
because of winter, a hiding of the green,
because of budding, new-felt expectation
strong as rising sap; a gathering.
Paul Hetherington (Canberra, 2000)
used with permission
Out of the enigma of our lives, this mystery.
Out of many different moments, love.
Despite the brittleness of sentiment, and words
too brutal for the feeling, still a joy
harboured closely, often shut away,
but efflorescent on the sunlit days
that contradict the winter. Out of words
a structure for the inexpressible,
an approximation of a green emotion
that buds, and blooms, defoliates, and buds.
Because of the end of blooming, disappointment,
because of winter, a hiding of the green,
because of budding, new-felt expectation
strong as rising sap; a gathering.
Paul Hetherington (Canberra, 2000)
used with permission
The voice of Australian poet Paul Hetherington has been one of my favourite discoveries of this year so far. My meandering search for text and inspiration for this commission led me to the Australian Poetry Library, which led me to Paul, who eventually led me to the (currently) unpublished poem, ‘Gathering’. I wish to thank Paul for his permission to use his words in this way, and for his assistance in the early stages of writing this work.
I can usually tell from an early reading whether or not a text will ‘set’ well. Needless to say, I found a lot to love in this beautifully intimate exploration of the fragility of life- so much so that the resulting work is a reasonable amount longer than I anticipated. One aspect of the text that seems made for music is the idea of words a empting to describe the indescribable. Every time I set text to music, I am trying to find the sound that will act as the best vehicle for the words; I am attempting to create something which is greater than the sum of its two parts. Failure feels almost inevitable, for who can say precisely what music ‘means’ at any fixed point in time, or how a phrase must sound when sung? And yet, I try and try again, approximating words with music, in a cycle of budding and blooming which feels equal parts futile (will I ever get it right?) and joyful; for all its frustrations and regular disappointments, it is a privilege and a true joy to create.
This work is my fifth commission from the Adelaide Chamber Singers, my first being received in 2005 as a relatively green composer in the early stages of her composition PhD. I cannot adequately express my gratitude that this incredible group of singers and their benevolent dictator Carl have continued to seek new works from me, and have committed their time and immeasurable skill to bringing them to life so beautifully. As a choral composer, ACS has well and truly spoilt me.
Anne Cawrse © 2021
I can usually tell from an early reading whether or not a text will ‘set’ well. Needless to say, I found a lot to love in this beautifully intimate exploration of the fragility of life- so much so that the resulting work is a reasonable amount longer than I anticipated. One aspect of the text that seems made for music is the idea of words a empting to describe the indescribable. Every time I set text to music, I am trying to find the sound that will act as the best vehicle for the words; I am attempting to create something which is greater than the sum of its two parts. Failure feels almost inevitable, for who can say precisely what music ‘means’ at any fixed point in time, or how a phrase must sound when sung? And yet, I try and try again, approximating words with music, in a cycle of budding and blooming which feels equal parts futile (will I ever get it right?) and joyful; for all its frustrations and regular disappointments, it is a privilege and a true joy to create.
This work is my fifth commission from the Adelaide Chamber Singers, my first being received in 2005 as a relatively green composer in the early stages of her composition PhD. I cannot adequately express my gratitude that this incredible group of singers and their benevolent dictator Carl have continued to seek new works from me, and have committed their time and immeasurable skill to bringing them to life so beautifully. As a choral composer, ACS has well and truly spoilt me.
Anne Cawrse © 2021