Southern Cross Suite

• Conductor (score only option available upon request)
• Piccolo
• Flute 1
• Flute 2
• Oboe 1
• Oboe 2
• A Clarinet 1
• A Clarinet 2
• Bassoon 1
• Bassoon 2
• F French Horn 1
• F French Horn 2
• F French Horn 3
• F French Horn 4
• Bb Trumpet 1
• Bb Trumpet 2
• Bb Trumpet 3
• Trombone 1
• Trombone 2
• Bass Trombone
• Tuba
• Timpani
• Percussion 1 (Suspended Cymbal, Crash Cymbals, Tambourine)
• Percussion 2 (Bass Drum, Claves, Tambourine, Triangle)
• Harp
• Violin 1
• Violin 2
• Viola
• Violincello
• Contrabass

The Southern Cross is an iconic Australian symbol.  Its importance to the Aboriginal Dreamtime is significant, while its use as a navigation resource for explorers, both old and new, can not be underestimated.  Being instantly recognizable on our National Flag, the Southern Cross seems to embody the youthful vigor of the Australian people and its recent history in comparison to the rest of the world. 

 

These elements became important indicators in constructing the piece of music you are about to hear.

 

The formal and tonal structure of the piece was inspired by an astronomy talk given on a recent trip to Central Australia.  Having been reacquainted with each of the names of the five separate stars of the Southern Cross (Alpha Crusis, Beta Crusis, Gamma Crusis, Delta Crusis and Epsilon Crusis), I decided that they would make excellent key centres (i.e., A Major, B minor, G Major, D Major and E Major) which would musically depict each of the five stars, thus creating five movements.  The musical phrase of these five notes (A-B-G-D-E) makes a pleasing theme, and is incorporated into each of the five movements (albeit in different shapes and sizes) primarily as a leitmotif in order to provide thematic cohesion and to also remind us of the Southern Cross’s unbending presence on our continent. 

 

With the structure now decided upon, the piece required a suitable introduction.  After completing more research, it became clear that there would be no better way to start the piece than by musically symbolizing “The Pointers” (Alpha and Beta Centauri) through a series of harmonic progressions based on the pitches “A” and “B.”

 

Australia is undoubtedly a land of contrasts, and I have set out to achieve this in each of the movements through a variety of different genres and textures, from spirited dance idioms to extended instrumental techniques.

 

"Southern Cross Suite" was premiered by the Sutherland Shire Syphony Orchestra, conducted by Beth Moloney, as part of their "Celebrating Youth" concert.