I breathe you in, I am boundless...

Fire music for chamber orchestra

Dedicated to all those caught up in the 2019-20 Australian Bush Fires

Programme Note

Written in response to the devastating fires the engulfed many parts of the Australian outback during the Australian summer of 2019 & 2020, this work depicts the overwhelming experience of being caught in bush fires. Many small communities had to huddle around fire trucks and live through many scary and devastating hours while their houses and community buildings were either saves or lost in flames.

This work has two climaxes, two waves of “fire” sounds. The work opens with a sounds that attempt to replicate the sound and sensation of small embers of fire. These grow and eventually take over the whole orchestra until we reach the first climax at bar 44. The fire dies off a bit until it finally grows to an even bigger climax at bar 81 and slowly dies off.

Flute

Oboe

Clarinet in B flat

Bassoon

Horn in F

Violin I, II, III & IV

Viola I & II

Violoncello I & II

Double Bass