for wind quintet (2002)
score available from
Wise Music
program note
Night Vision is cast in two movements and is loosely programmatic by nature, but not in structure. Astronaut Jeffrey Hoffman’s description of the Earth at night as seen from space created in my mind a general feel for the piece:
“At night the universe opens up. Darkness gives you a new perspective both on Earth and the sky. The high contrast of city lights against Earth’s dark surface makes human civilisation more visible at night than during the day. City lights provide excellent beacons to guide you around the human geography of our planet, all the way to the horizon.”
The work was commissioned by Ars Musica Australis for the 2002 Young Australian Concert Artists program (Australian Youth Orchestra) The premiere performance was given by AYO Wind Quintet on 19 September 2002 at Riverside Theatres, Parramatta.