2016

The title of “Gossamer Wings” alludes to the classic Cole Porter song “Just one of those things” (which has the line “a trip to the moon on gossamer wings”). I have always loved that phrase and the image that it conjures up, and it became the starting point for my exploration of musical moods and textures. The three movements – “Spinning,” “Suspended,” and “Moon Dancing” - travel through many sound worlds, and touch briefly on a number of half-remembered styles…in various sections you might hear influences from Debussy, Stravinsky, maybe even Cole Porter himself! “Gossamer Wings” is the second composition I’ve created for Margaret (after the solo “Old McDonald’s Yellow Submarine”), and is deeply inspired by the wonderful sound universe she has carved out. It was composed with generous support from the Australia Council for the Arts.

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Premiered by Margaret Leng Tan, Jodie Rottle, Rianne Wilschut, Vanessa Tomlinson, Christa Powell, Meagan Burke at the Festival of Toy Music, Brisbane Powerhouse, 5 Oct 2013