Book of Departures
for piano trio
(2008)
duration: 10’
GRT • 141
score available from
Australian Music
Centre
program note
This piece was originally
commissioned by Marshall McGuire as a sextet for Sydney’s
Sonic Art Ensemble. He noted that it would be the group’s
final commission and the idea of a sort of ‘farewell
symphony’ took hold. While mapping out the structure of the
piece, I started thinking in terms of chapters (there are
three of them, along with three bridges and an interlude –
all in one movement). I also wanted to write music that
would make an appropriate gesture towards an ensemble of
musicians who have given so much to Australian contemporary
classical music. So finally, the idea of a ‘book of
departures’ distilled in my thinking. ‘Departure’ is an
interesting word. It can denote sadness and nostalgia – but
it can equally refer to the outset of exciting new journeys
and in my mind this piece attempts to address both
meanings. The current version for piano trio was adapted at
the invitation of Melbourne’s Yarra Trio.
review
“Greenbaum's
music regularly appears on Yarra Trio's programs, and two
of his recent works were presented on this occasion. Both
pieces are characterised by simple tuneful ideas that
slowly unfurl against a backdrop of pulsing ostinatos. This
initial simplicity turns out to be deceptive, as
juxtapositions and developments create a multifaceted web
of ingenious thematic and structural relationships.
The second Greenbaum
work, Book of
Departures, explored much of the same ground, but
utilised a more complex structure. A strong refrain
reoccurred several times as a kick-off point to the
exploration of different musical landscapes. The last of
these was the most effective, abruptly shooting off and
offering only a tantalising glimpse of mysterious new
territories."
Mark Viggiani, Resonate, September 2009
“Australian Composer Stuart
Greenbaum wrote the fourth piece for the evening,
“Book of
Departures”. This
is a beautiful and lyric work that features a shimmering
piano part that was masterfully interpreted by Cassomenos.
The piano part laid a solid foundation that in turn gave
the strings a lot of flexibility to be lyrical and
expressive. This was a great example of high quality
original Australian Music and performance.”
Josh O’Connell, Goulburn Regional Conservatorium
Reviews, June 2009
“Stuart Greenbaum’s
Book of
Departures conveyed the various elements of
departure; the sadness of leaving, the excitement of the
new adventure as well as ideas about change or digression.
The music was a mixture of popular and classical which
provided a capricious alternation between intensity and
intimacy.”
John Daly-Peoples, The National Business Review (NZ), March
2010