“Our concert at Blacktown Performing Arts Centre as part of the Aurora Festival was approaching and the music I had been learning for the past 4 months was about to stand the test, or more correctly, my brain was about to be stretched! Performing this programme for one night only….couldn’t we do it again tomorrow as well??
Text from the poetry of Les Murray was set by:
- Damien Ricketson (Australia): Shoal
- Gareth Farr (New Zealand): Les Murray Song Cycle
- Frank Nuyts (Belgium): Old Airs
- Alex Pozniak (Australia): New work
- Andrew Ford (Australia): The Averted
- Juan Filippe Waller (Mexico): Our Ray, Our Arrow
- Pelle Gudmundson-Holmgreen (Denmark): Two Madrigals
Two of these composers were also with us on the night to premiere and introduce their work: Alex Pozniak and Andrew Ford.
The members of the Song Company were giving me good wishes and then suddenly we were on. It was been recorded by ABC FM so I had to pass the test.
And what a wonderful night it was, this also being Ruth McCall’s last performance before her baby arrives. With all that pregnancy can do to alter the voice she sang with finesse and grace as always.
Each piece captured the essence of Murray’s poetry; word play, rhythmic complexities and tonal nuances given virtuosic rendering by the singers. This was music to challenge our senses, offering a way to comprehend nature through Murray’s wonderful text and our distinct vocal sound.
The next day we were off to Brisbane to sing at Encounters- another new programme to learn, but for now the Murray was foremost in my mind. This night I will remember well, after many hours spent together gently and patiently teasing out the intricacies within the works in rehearsal.
An incredible journey completed with such talented musicians singing beautifully around me and Roland steadying my nerves with every wave of his hand.”
Lanneke Wallace-Wells (Mezzo) – June 1, 2010
