the constellations we draw (2021) commissioned by and for the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra
(chamber orchestra) (1.1.2.1; 2.1.1.1; tmp +1; hrp; str(4.2.2.1) | composed as part of the 2024 Cybec 21st Century Australian Composers’ Program
INSIGHT
The way in which we have and continue to derive meaning from stars across time is a curious phenomenon. Humans have physically mapped stars to navigate oceans and journey onwards or home, while also drawing deep spiritual and astrological significance from the creation of constellations and their respective lore. Accordingly, I now offer a third accompanying and contemporary commentary on their ecological prevalence and how they act as a reminder of our meaningful yet finite existence – where cosmic structures such as stars, suns and constellations that almost seem eternal, even are not.
This new work draws on newly-commissioned poetry, by my incomparable and regular collaborator Savanna Wegman, as a direct compositional touchstone and extra-musical manifestation of my concept. It structures the work in three sections played attacca capturing these derivations of stars: (1) embarking on a cosmic-mapped journey, (2) reaching a point of profound reflection gazing at the sky, then (3) reawakening in a lush yet urgent realisation of what we take for granted.
“
A javelin into light.
A voyage is born,
sprawling on parchment as
ink charts the endless contours of tessellated eyes.
Each lash suspended for us, riders of ocean.
Here, the winds hush us forwards into blur —
Open the way to Azimuth.
Unfolding as afterglows.
Arriving, the Sun flames us
awake and fawning,
under bare limbs, bright
atriums of sky.
Here the eyes rest, open
in sudden vastness
and in the darkest of lights
the elliptical blue
embraces —
in such pure, fervent silence.
Beyond this breath, falling.
Each celestial tide returns us, cocooned in this
infinite breath,
parted open like a gate
and dipped back in cerulean.
We cover our eyes to both:
the ever living
and ever lasted expanses.
Set ablaze our chartings
to recast
an artificial Dark.
”
Dedicated to my incredible parents, Debra Le Nepveu and Thomas McIntyre, who taught me how to look up at the sky and draw my own stars.
Commissioned by the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra and composed as part of the 2024 Cybec 21st Century Australian Composers’ Program.
'the constellations we draw’ received its world premiere performance on the 25th January 2025 in ‘Cybec Showcase’ at ABC’s Iwaki Auditorium, presented and performed by the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra with MSO Cybec Assistant Conductor Leonard Weiss CF.
A special thank you to Prof. Matthew Hindson AM for his mentorship and guidance during this program.
Thank you also to the generosity of the Cybec Foundation and all involved from the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra, particularly the incredible musicians of the MSO, 2024 Lead Mentor and Artistic Advisor Dr. Katy Abbott, Program Coordinator Grace Ip and MSO Librarian Luke Speedy-Hutton.
cover illustration © Lucinda McIntyre
INSTRUMENTATION
Flute (doubles piccolo)
Oboe (doubles cor anglais)
2 Clarinets in B♭ (second doubles bass clarinet in B♭)
Bassoon
2 Horns in F
Trumpet in C
Trombone
Tuba
Timpani (2 drums – 32”, 29”)
Percussion (one player): Vibraphone, Suspended Cymbal
Harp
4 violins
2 Violas
2 cellos
Double Bass
PERFORMANCES TO DATE
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https://issuu.com/melbsymphony/docs/2025-mso-cybec-showcase-program
ProgramZinia Chan Our Worlds Unfolding
Andrew Aronowicz Komorebi
Rachel Meyers Submergence|y
Robert McIntyre the constellations we drawAbout this event
Each year, the Cybec Foundation supports the MSO to organise and run the Cybec 21st Century Australian Composers’ Program.
The program selects four participants to be mentored by leading Australian composers and create a 10-minute piece. The four pieces are performed by the MSO in this showcase, following which, one of the four participants is chosen as the MSO’s Young Composer in Residence and commissioned to write further pieces.
Experience the world premiere of these works at this showcase!
Duration: approx. 1 hour, no interval
Featuring
Melbourne Symphony Orchestra
Leonard Weiss* conductor and presenter*2025 Cybec Assistant Conductor