The Scent of Honey Gum Past

The Scent of Honey Gum Past is written for Recorder Orchestra. 

Composer Todd Robinson says: “Toolern Creek has always been a part of my life, imparting meaningfulness to me as a part of our Australian environment. I am wholly grateful for it. All of my family have stepped across those changing lands, a fifteen minute walk from my home; everyone I have known and loved have seen the creek flow and look in wonder at the hundred year old gumtrees. A lot of my childhood recollections are collected here, with the sounds of buzzing insects, singing cockatoos, diving wrens, and the brushing of gumleaves against the silky flow of water against the reeds'.

'I wanted to capture this ever changing landscape in this piece, the nostalgia inherent within a place that will be always there, yet always different. A place where my memories may still breathe in the wind against the wattles, echoing past conversations, laughter, and joy. I hope this piece can at least communicate a grain of this impermanent beauty, mono no aware. And despite the trepidation of our everyday lives, we must be determined to embolden these Australian environments, as I fear whether these precious places will be passed down, - somewhere we can escape to and remember when ephemeral words may not.” - Todd Robinson

Todd Robinson: 'Hello, I’m a storyteller with sound. Currently studying a Bachelor of Music at Melbourne University, I’ve grown up with a background of classical music mixed with art pop and rock with inspirations ranging from Liszt to the Beach Boys, Gustav Holst, to Jorge Ben Jor and Joe Hisaishi. And not only that, I’ve always had a passion for literature, which I believe influences my music with the aim to make music that can hopefully bring people together and evoke primal yet intricate psychological narratives. I also hope that my music can flow back the deep, resonant memories within you. I hope my music can speak to you, regardless of the walk of life you come from'.

 Thank you to Society of Recorder Players (SA) and Recorder and Early Music Society of West Australia for Sponsoring this Prize.

Score: 17 pages. 10 parts @ 3 pages ea.