The sea meets infinity

Abstract

"The Sea Meets Infinity" was an important commission for me as a composer. It allowed me to explore the percussion area much closer and with more intent and purpose amongst writing several large orchestral works. My percussion writing is best described as in development, and thanks to this opportunity I could allow myself the time to explore the instruments to a far greater level, which in turn enhanced the orchestra percussion writing in subsequent large pieces. The work was commissioned by the Enyato Duo from Melbourne and features QCGU alumni Luke Carbon clarinetist and Thea Rossen percussion and premiered in Melbourne on the 24th of May, 2019. My research into percussion started with Varese, Stockhausen, Reich, Cage and of course, Stravinsky and Brett Dean amongst others. Given the limited set up Thea was using for the concert and subsequent tours, this enabled me to be concise in my sound world and concentrate on writing as imaginatively as possible for bass drum and marimba. Coupled with the bass clarinet, the marimba was a perfect foil and partner and enabled me to create a sound world totally different to what I had done before. The whole process I experienced was totally liberating. Writing for musicians who were completely virtuosic and totally interested in new music, instead of the fear I sometimes experience in writing for established "classical" ensembles, was wonderful. I left the process feeling I had discovered a new edge to my language, and a new focus in my orchestral sound and writing.