NOTES TO THE CONDUCTOR
SYMPHONY No. 1
Leunig's Prayer Book. Composed for Wind Symphony. Grade 6. Commissioned by the Australian Wind Band Commissioning Consortium.
“Jodie Blackshaw’s Symphony No. 1 (2019) carries the subtitle Leunig’s Prayer Book, a genuflection towards those much-loved cartoons and verses of Michael Leunig, in this case four poem-prayers reflecting on the arrival of the four seasons. In terms of scope and aspiration, Blackshaw’s 25 minute symphony is a major work, inflating Leunig’s endearing line-drawings and affecting poetry to almost Mahlerian proportions.”
HEAR THE SYMPHONY
World premiére recording: Dr. John Lynch with the Sydney Conservatorium Wind Symphony
Purchase 1st or 4th movement for individual performance
MVT. I - The Blessing of Light (Summer)
MVT. IV - The Creation of Faith (Spring)
USA premiére recording: Dr. Timothy Mahr with the St. Olaf Band.