For SATB chorus (8 parts)

I. O Quam Preciosa
II. Mountain Chant
III. Oratio Dominica

On 27 June 1818, the explorer John Oxley became the first European to set eyes on the Warrumbungle mountains in north-eastern New South Wales. His journal reveals the deep impression made by this “most stupendous range of mountains, lifting their blue heads above the horizon”. Surely, the peaks and bluffs reminded him of the spires and tors of his homeland after the “boundless desert” through which he and his party had been travelling for so long.

Fred Watson’s poem Mountain Chant, which provides the text of the central chorus, juxtaposes European and Celtic imagery found in today’s Warrumbungles with the names of Dreaming sites of the inigenous people for whom the mountains were a continuous divine revelation. Vividly and precipitantly rhythmic, it is framed by two stark, interior motets: the first a setting in Latin of O quam preciosa by the 12th century Rhineland mystic Hildegard von Bingen, whose startlingly fresh imagery of spiritual regeneration I found irresistible; and to conclude, The Lord’s Prayer, also in Latin: a profound documentation of the universal path to selftransformation and enlightenment.

Mountain Chant, composed at a time when Australia seems more than ever in need of spiritual regeneration, was jointly commissioned by two leading Australian choirs: Cantillation & the Melbourne Chorale. It is dedicated to my friend and collaborator Fred Watson, Astronomer-in-Charge of the Anglo-Australian Observatory at Siding Spring in the Warrumbungles. Fred’s vast knowledge of astronomy is supplemented by his communication skills. A familiar voice on ABC radio – especially with early risers – he also provided the text of my choral Fourth Symphony, Star Chant.

 

Recordings

On the CD Reverberations
University of New Hampshire Chamber Singers, conducted by William Kempster

 

Listen

I. O Quam Preciosa

[audio:https://www.rossedwards.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/06/01-Mountain-Chant-I.-O-Quam-Preciosa-O-How-Precious.mp3]

II. Mountain Chant

[audio:https://www.rossedwards.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/06/02-Mountain-Chant-II.-Mountain-Chant.mp3]

III. Oratio Dominica

[audio:https://www.rossedwards.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/06/03-Mountain-Chant-III.-Oratio-Dominica-The-Lords-Prayer.mp3]

 

Watch:

 

Score

Available through the Australian Music Centre.

View a sample of this score.