COMPOSER | ILLUSTRATOR | AUTHOR:
Matt Ottley
ABOUT:
Requiem for a Beast is an intermodal work, consisting of the formats of graphic novel, picture book, novella, and musical work. There are two main narratives within the book; one is the story of a young stockman as he pursues a wild bull, and the other the reminiscences of an elderly woman from the Stolen Generations. The music contains both original material composed by Matt, and traditional Aboriginal music (with permissions granted for public performances).
THEMES:
Identity, memory, fear/bravery, loss/grief, isolation, rites of passage, forgiveness.
ORCHESTRATION:
This musical work is scored for a chamber ensemble – Piano, harpsichord (both piano and harpsichord can be performed on a digital piano by one player), 2 violins, viola, ‘cello, double bass, tenor (to sing Australian Bundjalung songs included in the score), soprano and narrator.