Research Background

This project explored the expansion of a multi-movement score written by iconic Australian composer Elena Kats-Chernin, reimagined for chamber ensemble. The Queensland Music Festival and Queensland Ballet co-production of The Little Green Road to Fairyland, captures the whimsical beauty of the classical Children's book by Annie R. Rentoul and Ida Rentoul Outhwaite. It was performed by the Camerata chamber group with Katie Noonan (voice) and recorded for an ABC classics release.

Research Contribution

My role for this project was music arranger. The project involved expanding a piano and vocal score for the work into a chamber music version that featured voice, flute, violin, viola, cello, and percussion. The ensemble itself was somewhat non-standard in that it broke from the format of string quartet which I have worked with on many prior occasions. Reducing to three strings and incorporating flute and percussion created new challenges in the orchestrational process.

Research Significance

An aspect that was quite unique compared to other arranging/orchestration projects was the nature of the long and detailed piano score (by Kats-Chernin) to be expanded for chamber ensemble. This incorporated detailed design of the score (using the recently released Finale 26 program) to clearly label the 28 movements, each with unique measure number groups. The work progressed to a successful recording session for ABC Classics and a subsequent release in early 2019. The full collaboration as a stage presentation with Queensland Ballet will tour as part of the Queensland Music Festival.