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Seasons fanfare
Document type: Audio Document
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Download this reading SeasonsFanfare.pdf Music scores application/pdf 4.33MB 24
Download this reading SeasonsFanfare_Ceremonial_A.mp3 Audio audio/mpeg 2.97MB 15
Download this reading SeasonsFanfare_Ceremonial_B.mp3 Audio audio/mpeg 3.42MB 15
Download this reading SeasonsFanfare_Ensemble.mp3 Audio audio/mpeg 6.24MB 15
Download this reading SeasonsFanfare_FullOrchestra.mp3 Audio audio/mpeg 6.23MB 16
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Creator(s) Sundstrup, Leif
Title Seasons fanfare
Place of publication Darwin, Northern Territory
Publisher Charles Darwin University
Publication date 2012
Format PDF, mp3
Rights Charles Darwin University
Subject 1904 - Performing Arts and Creative Writing
Formatted Abstract/Summary "Seasons Fanfare
The Seasons Fanfare is a signature tune commissioned by Charles Darwin University, in Australia's Northern Territory, for grand occasions such as graduation ceremonies. Sundstrup has produced a magnificent work that is of and for the Territory as well as its university.

The melodic motif is an homage to Charles Darwin, evolving as the fanfare progresses. Introduced by clapping sticks that welcome to country, one has the sense of being taken on a magical journey through time and space, revealing wonder after wonder. The motif strives to make sense of it all, as it tries news ideas: sometimes discarding them, sometimes adopting and other times adapting them as it develops along the way.

It opens with the beautiful tranquillity of the Dry season, celebrating its glorious blue skies and delightfully lush green flora with a Baroque-styled lilt that also acknowledges the roots of European universities. But the Dry inevitably yields to the incessant Build Up, with its growing intensity and seriousness of purpose. It is here, in particular (and, indeed, throughout), that the piece repays discerning listening for the more subtle variations of the many seasons recognized by the Indigenous people of the countries of the Territory.

The Wet finally arrives with brilliant lightening and crashing thunder. With the rain comes relief! The joys of survival are acknowledged with another doff of the trencher to the great scientist, when the trills of Sundstrup's harp and clarinets evoke the play of Darwin's finches.

The Fanfare concludes with a triumphant crescendo that honours the end of a wonderful journey. And yet, there is a sense that this is but the first of many journeys ... And is that not precisely how university should be?

Martin Carroll
Pro Vice-Chancellor Academic
Charles Darwin University

Leif Sundstrup
Leif Sundstrup is one of the leading Australian conductors. He has held conducting positions with both the Sydney and Melbourne symphony orchestras and has performed with most of the nation's finest orchestras as a guest conductor.

Sundstrup was 1st prize winner in the 1996 Symphony Australia National Young Conductor Competition. In 2010 he was appointed Artistic Director and Chief Conductor of the Darwin Symphony Orchestra, having spent the previous five years as Resident Conductor of the Royal Oman Symphony Orchestra.

Dr Sundstrup studied at the University of New England, London College of Music, and University of Wollongong. He holds a Bachelor of Music (Hons) in Community Music Studies, a Master of Music in Orchestral Conducting, and a Doctor of Creative Arts in Music Composition. He studied conducting with Patrick Bailey, Noam Sheriff, Pierre Boulez, and Edo de Waart; and composition with Dr Richard Mills and Professor Stephen Ingham." -- Verso
Additional Notes The Seasons Fanfare was commissioned by Charles Darwin University to coincide with its 25th Anniversary. Composed by Dr Leif Sundstrup, the work celebrates both the diverse Territory seasons and the celebration of the university ritual with understated transformations representing the Darwinian principles of life. Although a modern work in contraction, the fanfare is both accessible and memorable, framing the academic environment and lasting tradition of the Charles Darwin University. The Fanfare represents both the antiquity and grandeur of university life, based on three recurring and transforming themes: The University, The Dignitaries, and The Seasons. Amongst the developing musical subjects throughout the fanfare can be heard distinct representations of the seasons including ‘the build up’ with thunder storms, slow moving breezes of the tranquil dry, and a hint of the Darwin’s Finches (Galápagos finches) which played an important part in his theories. The work is written in a traditionally classical style to reflect the long and important history of the Charles Darwin University and its maturation over the past twenty-five years.


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Created: Mon, 15 Oct 2018, 11:08:06 CST by Jessie Ng