Journey Song
for horn & optional didgeridoo
Composed for Josiah Kop
First performance: 14 May 2022
Performed at the ANAM Set Festival by
Josiah Kop (horn) and William Barton (didjeridoo)
This ANAM Set commission was generously supported by the Restart Investment to Sustain and Expand (RISE) Fund – an Australian Government initiative
Program note:
A song of resonance from within.
Our cultural and religious connection; our ancestral song passed down from generation to generation; our language and feeling; our own song; our story; our honouring of a special lullaby.
Encompassing the Old Testament, the old lore, and embracing change; an open conversation with a unified path.
Journey Song represents a calling out to the horizon as the sun sets on a new day born. Surrendering to the prism of light as the night falls - we awake to the breath of the dawn and the morning star to begin our journey again.
About the composer:
William Barton is a proud Kalkadunga man, a distinguished artist of extraordinary musicality and a virtuoso performer of the didgeridoo. He is also a renowned composer of the highest acclaim.
Over his long and remarkable career, William has performed across Australia, from large concert halls to regional music festivals. William has performed at many landmark events, reflecting the central importance of his music to Australian identity.
His generosity of sound and spirit have seen his work commissioned by some of the most outstanding ensembles from around the world.
The importance of William’s outstanding and enduring contribution has been recognised by many awards including the Artist Residency Peggy Glanville-Hicks Composers House (2020), Artist in Residence Melbourne Recital Centre (2019), Best Original Score for a Main Stage Production – The Long Forgotten Dream – Sydney Theatre Awards (2018), ARIA Best Classical Album – Kalkadungu: Music for Didjeridu and Orchestra (2012).
In his performances and compositions, William holds the awe and attention of audience members around the world.
William Barton is the 2021 recipient of the Australia Council Don Banks Music Award.
Artist biography courtesy of https://australiacouncil.gov.au/news/biographies/william-barton/
More info: https://www.williambarton.com.au/