A Sea Spray of Ash (2019) for solo soprano and piano
(sop. and pn.)
A Sea Spray of Ash is work for solo soprano with minimal yet reverberant piano accompaniment, confronting the issue of environmental collapse, which poses a sobering threat to our existence. It conveys a narrative of ash covering the shores, natural disasters, and a reminiscent moment of when the Earth was pure, right before a solemn caution to not silence its desperate plea for survival.
~ dedicated to Bridgette Kelsey, Amanda Hargreaves & Amelia Jones ~
Soprano: Amelia Jones
Piano: Stephan Cassomenos
SET TEXT
Carbon dated evacuation
Glacial tsunami
Tectonic collapse
Caldera crystallised
Cubic miles
Unearthed
Atmosphere
Landslide
Ash
Though that is all in the future –
Now, I stand with you on the shore Looking back beyond the hinterland;
An early morning omen
Of amber light
Emerging over the mountain.
(by Anonymous)
This work received its joint public world premiere performance on the 17th of April and 22nd of May 2021 by Anna Fraser + Jack Symonds (Sydney Conservatorium of Music) and Amelia Jones + Stephan Cassomenos (Melbourne Recital Centre Primrose Potter Salon) as part of the 2021 inaugural KAMMERKLANG Call for Scores, one of two works only selected for both performances.
*** This work won the inaugural No Divide KC 2022 International Art Song Competition (USA)
*** This work was selected by the Australian Music Centre as one of six submissions to the Australian Section of the 2025 ISCM World New Music Days Festival (Portugal) with subsequent selection by Miso Music Portugal to represent Australia in 2025’s festival between 30th May – 7th June in Lisbon and Porto, Portugal.
PERFORMANCES TO DATE
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University of Queensland, Queensland Vocal Competition.
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‘Our Duty to Care | Worlds Collide’ at Tempo Rubato, 34 Breese Street Brunswick, VIC [sold-out performance].
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‘Our Duty to Care’ presented by Robert McIntyre, the Faculty of Fine Arts and Music and the Melbourne Law School at Hanson Dyer Hall, Melbourne Conservatorium of Music, VIC.
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‘EnviroSound’ concert by Helen Shen, at Hanson Dyer Hall, Melbourne Conservatorium of Music, The University of Melbourne.
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‘Come As You Are’ No Divide KC Concert at St. Mary’s Episcopal Church, 1307 Holmes St. Kansas City, MO 64106.
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Arcady Spring Gala Concert at Central Presbyterian Church, 97 Wellington Street, Brantford Ontario, Canada.
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Concert at St. Stephen's Uniting Church, 197 Macquarie Street Sydney, NSW 2000.
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KAMMERKLANG ‘A Hidden Curiosity: Memento’ presented at Melbourne Recital Centre, Primrose Potter Salon — Cnr Southbank Blvd & Sturt St, Southbank, VIC.
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KAMMERKLANG ‘A Hidden Curiosity: Vestige’ performed at Recital Hall West, Sydney Conservatorium of Music, The University of Sydney.
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Performed at Hanson Dyer Hall, Melbourne Conservatorium of Music, The University of Melbourne.