For 6, 12, 18, or 24 voices + percussion

text: Fred Watson

I. Hydra-Sirius-Formalhaut
II. Antares
III. Scorpius
IV. Proxima Centauri
V. Crux Australis

Southern Cross Chants is a further exploration of the astronomical text provided by Fred Watson for my choral Fourth Symphony, Star Chant (2001). lt consists of a series of modules, each of which may be expanded, contracted, detached for separate performance or assembled in various different ways within a large, flexible structure.

The text celebrates stars and constellations of the southern skies by juxtaposing their classical, scientifìc and Aboriginal names. The first module, for example, pairs the words for the constellation Hydra with Unwala; Hydra being the water-snake of the ancient Greek legend, whose head is Unwala the Crab to the people of Groote Eylandt in the Gulf of Carpentaria. The work thus attempts a musical fusion of art and science whilst making a gesture of conciliation with our indigenous cultures – possibly the world’s first astronomers.

Southern Cross Chants was commissioned especially for The Song Company by the lan Potter Foundation.

 

Recordings:

On the CD/DVD Kalkadunga Yurdu
The Song Company & William Barton, conducted by Roland Peelman
View this CD on iTunes.

 

Listen:

I. Hydra-Sirius-Formalhaut
[audio:https://www.rossedwards.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/03-Southern-Cross-Chants-Part-I.-Hydra-Sirius-Formalhaut.mp3]

II. Antares
[audio:https://www.rossedwards.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/05-Southern-Cross-Chants-Part-II.-Antares.mp3]

III. Scorpius
[audio:https://www.rossedwards.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/06-Southern-Cross-Chants-Part-III.-Scorpius.mp3]

IV. Proxima Centauri
[audio:https://www.rossedwards.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/07-Southern-Cross-Chants-Part-IV.-Proxima-Centauri.mp3]

V. Crux Australis
[audio:https://www.rossedwards.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/08-Southern-Cross-Chants-Part-V.-Crux-Australis.mp3]

Score:

A score for this work is not currently available.