'The inspiration for this work came from an earlier Antarctic-based work, Cryosphere, where I was translating a world of ice into sound.' ~ Patrick Shepherd
'As I read more about Antarctica, I came across another "sphere", the lithosphere, a world of rock. The first movement presented a strong, bass-heavy motif and the second unpacked that in more subtle ways. In this, the third movement, the previous ideas are tied together and brought to a satisfactory and suitably grand conclusion. There is plenty of activity in this movement, with every instrument playing a vital role. The strong bass ideas are still here but they are now more positive, less doom- laden, and there is more space in the scoring. I have also chosen to be very literal in my interpretation, introducing river stones as a key opening motif which reappears throughout the work.
I am indebted to Tabea Squire for opening my eyes (or more properly, ears) to this possibility in her score Ao, presented in the 2017 workshop. It was precisely the germ of an idea that unlocked the way for completing the symphony.'
Patrick Shepherd Photo: SOUNZ Centre for New Zealand Music
Biography
Patrick Shepherd has called New Zealand home since moving here from England in 1991. A Senior Lecturer at the University of Canterbury, Patrick works as a composer, conductor, performer and teacher, and he is well-known for his work in the community and with young people. He is passionate about new music, music education, technology and creativity. His works have been performed in the UK, USA, Germany, Russia, South Korea, China and Australia as well as regular performances and broadcasts in New Zealand.
Patrick has conducted many orchestras and choirs, including the Christchurch Symphony Orchestra, Christchurch Youth Orchestra, Garden City Symphony Orchestra and NASDA chorus and he is currently conductor of the Camerata Strings and the Christchurch Schools’ Music Festival Symphony Orchestra. He is also the Musical Director of the Festival. Patrick has also delivered promotional talks and lectures on New Zealand music both overseas and nationally and is a music critic for The Press.
Patrick is also an Honorary Antarctic Arts Fellow, having travelled to Antarctica early in 2004 and 2016/17, and much of his current creative work is related to those trips. Somewhat paradoxically, his experience in Antarctica led him to research the medical condition synaesthesia (altered sensory perception).
Recorded by RNZ Concert for the 2018 NZ Composer Sessions.
Producer: David McCaw
Engineer: Graham Kennedy
