NOTES TO THE CONDUCTOR
TWIST
Composed for Symphonic Wind Band. Grade 5.
Commissioned for the Australian National Band and Orchestra's Conference by ABODAQ 2012.
“Twist is simply a tour de force, which must be experienced to be truly appreciated. Blackshaw evokes a form of expression in the ensemble that I’ve never experienced before. Whether it is the laugh of a Kookaburra, or the indescribable beauty of the mouth of the Murray River, Twist will compel everyone involved to think about Wind Band music in a new & authentic way. I highly recommend it.”
SEE THE SCORE
audio starts on page 2 - if the wheel spins, click/tap to play
HEAR THE PIECE
WHERE TO PURCHASE
My favourite recording: Dr. John Lynch with the Sydney Conservatorium Wind Symphony
Performed at the St. Olaf Band during their 2018 tour of Australia & New Zealand. Conducted by Dr. Timothy Mahr
Kookaburra Cadenza & Argentinian Tango - be inspired!
BUSH SOUNDSCAPE
When I was in primary school my family enjoyed two houseboat holidays on the Murray River. My whole family remember these holidays as some of the happiest days we spent together. I especially loved that time at the end of the day when we had moored the houseboat and lit a fire. I would sit on a chair by the fire and just curl up and become consumed by the warmth of the fire and the sound of the bush surrounding me. When I think of it now, I can still hear the bush and feel the warm glow of the fire.
I share this personal memory and photograph to highlight the beauty of the "bush symphony"; this is what I hope is achieved at Rehearsal marking 'O' in this piece.
Check out these percussion instruments and use them in your soundscape as well as other sounds listed in the score!
Click on the picture above to listen to an example of a Bush Soundscape by artist "Listening Earth"
To create the soundscape, invite all players with "Bush soundscape" marked in their parts to select a sound that makes a contribution. Invite the players to listen to the audio link to understand that intermittent, random sounds over the top of the constant whirring and buzzing of the shaker ring will bring together an inspiring bush symphony that underpins the Soprano Saxophone solo.