This work for string orchestra is inspired by lines from a poem, “Equanimity,” by one of Australia’s most celebrated poets, Les Murray.
World Premiere Performance by Sydney Camerata
Location: Sydney Conservatorium of Music on 18 May 2012
Guest conductor: Luke Gilmour | Concertmaster: Liz Gormley | Artistic Director: Mathisha Panagoda
Inspiration – Explanation
We are looking into the light –
it makes some smile, some grimace ….
a field all foreground, and equally all background,
like a painting of equality. Of infinite detailed extent
like God’s attention. Where nothing is diminished by perspective.”
From “Equanimity” by Les Murray
Looking Into the Light was written in memory of my late mother.
Like these words, the music tries to convey an infinity of space, serenity and cool, clear light. Throughout the work a held high C and the constant slow repetition of 4 pizzicato notes middle C, the G above, middle C and the G below – by the 2 violins suggest the movement of a pendulum whose motion is that of the universe itself – an arc moving eternally between two points equidistant from the point of equilibrium and eternally passing through the point of equilibrium.
Over this repeated figure, the voices of the other strings enter – separately at first, weaving around each other and then coming together. At the second repetition of the main theme, the first violins embellish with a descending descant-like phrase which, to me at least, suggests the grace of “God’s attention” to which Murray refers in his poem. The strings come together in a moment of intensity and then fade gently and slowly into silence.