Belah Sun Woman
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Belah Sun Woman is a work in 5 movements that is inspired by an Indigenous narrative not attributed to any specific people, that tells of the birth of the sun. The first movement paints the character of the fierce antagonist with a battery of percussion. The second movement sets the scene, describing a world with little light. There is much fear and tension amongst the people who live at this time; this movement features the brass section. The third movement presents the protagonist, a much loved, heroic personality whose character is peppered by joyous woodwinds in triple meter. In the fourth movement, there is a battle between our two main characters. Hear this, as you will: a fight for freedom, a confrontation for truth, or a struggle to gain peace. This movement features the percussion section and allows them to improvise and explore the colors of their instrument. The fifth and final movement brings the whole band together and contains many independent lines. This movement brings our narrative to a close and is inspired by the vision of the first sunrise on Earth.
DURATION: 8 minutes
INSTRUMENTATION: see perusal score above
Belah Sun Woman was commissioned by a consortium led by the Australian Band and Orchestra Directors Association Qld.
“This is not ‘just another piece’ but a significant musical-educational addition to the repertory.”