Black Ice (2021)

for strings

Duration: 8’

Commissioned by the Australian Chamber Orchestra

Archival recording available on request

Program Note

Black Ice explores two sides of an Australian Winter – the harsh and treacherous, and the delicate and fragile. Within this, the work is primarily concerned with a winter hazard: black ice. Common in the Blue Mountains, black ice is an often-invisible layer which forms after snow or sleet, creating dangerous driving conditions. This can lead to slipping, sliding, and skidding – all activities that are imagined in the work during a mountainous descent. Yet, not all is doom and gloom: through these motions, Black Ice pays homage to the thrill-seeking behaviour associated with the pursuit of Australian snow. Keep an ear out for the drama of metal and punk threaded throughout, along with the playfulness of blues and bluegrass.

Growing up, my family often referred to me as Safety Officer Harrison, due to my unparalleled ability to imagine a whirlwind of unforeseen hazards, so perhaps it’s fitting that I’m finally able to explore this in musical form!

Performances

19 September 2023, Australian Chamber Orchestra Collective, Civic Theatre, Wagga Wagga, NSW

16 September 2023, Australian Chamber Orchestra Collective, Glasshouse, Port Macquarie, NSW

15 September 2023, Australian Chamber Orchestra Collective, Armidale Town Hall, Armidale, NSW

14 September 2023, Australian Chamber Orchestra Collective, Empire Theatre, Toowoomba, QLD

13 September 2023, Australian Chamber Orchestra Collective, Moncrieff Entertainment Centre, Bundaberg, QLD

11 September 2023, Australian Chamber Orchestra Collective, Pilbeam Theatre, Rockhampton, QLD

9 September 2023 Australian Chamber Orchestra Collective, Mackay Entertainment Centre, QLD

7 September 2023, Australian Chamber Orchestra Collective, Pier 2/3,The Neilson, Sydney, NSW

24 June 2023, Manchester Camerata, MCR: CLASSICAL Festival, Bridgewater Hall, Manchester, UK, 10pm - UK Premiere

20 March 2022, Australian Chamber Orchestra, TarraWarra Museum of Art, VIC - World Premiere