
Dear Malcolm Turnbull (Female Key)
Female key: F#3–Db5. Pdf download. All proceeds go to QLife Australia.
“A lovely harmonic, melodic piece”
— Michael Leunig
I had wanted to set this beautiful poem by Michael Leunig since late 2014. I find that - as is the case in a lot of Leunig's work - it speaks with simplicity and elegance; yet below the surface, one gets the sense of something more profound and elusive taking place. My process of putting music to it reminds me of how Eric Whitacre described setting music to A Boy and a Girl – 'I simply tried to quiet myself and find the music hidden within the words'.
All My Father Left Me was written for Carl Crossin and the Gondwana Chorale, at Gondwana National Choral School in January 2015. It was revised for the Elder Conservatorium Chorale in August 2015.
This music is simple and would be perfect for a high school or community choir.
Please note that at its maximum, this work splits into 5 soprano parts, 4 alto parts, 3 tenor parts, and 4 bass parts. To help assess whether it would be suitable for your choir, four sample pages have been provided in the image preview.
This composition is dedicated with infinite love to my Nonna, Carmela Belperio, who passed away from Motor Neurone Disease on the 17th of August, 2015. This piece is a testament to her extraordinary and unending love, and to our very human ability to find beauty even in the most helpless of situations.At Gondwana National Choral School 2015, I was particularly inspired by the incredible work that they do with their children’s choirs. So, on the advice of Paul Holley, I set my hand to writing a choral piece for primary school aged children. As it has done in the past, Leunig’s beautiful poetry provided ample inspiration.
When The Heart was premiered by Mark O’Leary and The Young Voices of Melbourne, Senior Training Choir, at their 25th Anniversary Concert, at Monash University, on the 31st of May, 2015.
“When The Heart is a sensitive and beautiful setting of Leunig's text, which is very suitable for primary aged singers, and which is enjoyable for both singers and listeners.”
— Mark O'Leary - Director, Young Voices of Melbourne