Fizzin’ Fury (2019)
for orchestra (2.2.2.2 4.2.3.1, tmp, 2 perc, hp, strings)
Duration: 10’
Commissioned by the Monash Academy Orchestra and first performed by Monash Academy Orchestra, conducted by Jessica Cottis
Program Note
Fizzin’ Fury is inspired by musical genres associated with moshing and upbeat movement. The fury side embraces the heaviness of doom metal, punk, and progressive rock, while the fizz captures the energy of electronic dance music, disco, and dixieland. At times, the mosh can be felt as an up and down movement or a side to side motion, with moments of slo-mo thrown in too. Distorted chords combine to sound like overdriven guitar, while joyous strains of horns and winds try to break through.
There is proportionally more ‘fizz’ in the first half of the work. As the piece continues, it becomes darker and fractures, slipping into a swampy drone-led section, reminiscent of low pulsing synthesisers. Here, the flute solo sees an unlikely suspect take the lead, before being swallowed up by the rest of the orchestra. You’ll have to wait to hear what happens next. . . .
Performances
31 March, 2021, Canberra Symphony Orchestra and Jessica Cottis, Llewellyn Hall, ANU
1 April, 2021, Canberra Symphony Orchestra and Jessica Cottis, Llewellyn Hall, ANU
10 February 2020, Modest Orchestra, Symphonic Education Encounters, Kambala School, Rose Bay, NSW - Cancelled
14 April 2019, Monash Academy Orchestra and Jessica Cottis, Robert Blackwood Hall, Melbourne, Victoria - World Premiere
Archival recording available at request
