What we see through ice (2020 rev. 2022) written for Ken Murray and the MCM Guitar Ensemble

(guitar ensemble)

What we see through ice concerns the accidental beauty of nature tied in with essential climate-based research.

Based off the Australian Antarctic’s SIPEX-II 2012 Expedition, this piece narrates how the ROV (remotely operated vehicle) journeyed underneath the ice caps, utilising harmony provided by a synesthete when looking upon the source image (cover art). It was the first opportunity for the ROV to face the harsh Antarctic environment and whilst the work maintains an overall tonal quality, aspects such as harmonics and various off-beat entries imitate the “rugged subsurface of the ice covered in icicle snags.”

Finally, it reaches the point where the ROV has a designated ice-hole, which has illuminated the vast arctic structure by aid of sea algae – the bioluminescent food for our keystone species and the rest of the Antarctic marine ecosystem: Antarctic Krill. It is both stunning and an occurrence of key marine preservation.

The work also serves as an “encore” for a program, but instead of highlighting a show-piece end, I focussed on creating an atmosphere of contemplation, happiness and alleviation. This is influenced from the work being the final part of my Honours folio and last work written in my BH-MUS degree 2017-2020.

- *SOURCE: www.antarctica.gov.au/magazine/issue-23, photo is of credit to ROV Team, Australian Antarctic Magazine 2012.

This work is written for and dedicated to Ken Murray and the University of Melbourne MCM Guitar Ensemble.

Time: ~ 5mins