Here are a few of the responses to the premiere of “The Redfern Oratorio” which took place on Sunday 13th November in the Sydney Town Hall
“It was quite an experience and, in my opinion, it once again confirms Christopher Bowen as a major composer, not simply on a local level, but internationally. The Oratorio is very moving; the vocal text is flawlessly integrated with the music. The orchestration struck me as inventive and exciting but never pretentious and always at the service of the text. It avoided all of the cliches of aboriginal music but, at the same time, echoed Aboriginal culture through sophisticated use of the symphony orchestra. I imagine the work will have many performances - not just in Australia, but with major orchestras throughout the world.”
“From the first beats it was electric. Literally. People’s hair was standing on end. As we filed out for intermission, people looked altered in the most brilliant way - like they’d just been through something extraordinary and incredibly moving. Strangers caught my eye and simply said “goosebumps” as they filed past. Many many people said this. Unless they said "I teared up". Or both.”
“If art, and music in particular, is about moving people, then this piece and performance is an unqualified triumph. For me, sitting there, I too had hairs standing on end and felt shakily teary. And enraptured. I dont have the musical vocabulary to describe it, but the lyrical, soaring melodic passages were an incredible sweeping reward after each of the percussive spine tingling bits.”
“Absolutely blown away. What a triumph, you two clever clogs, you!! It was spectacular, inventive, moving and memorable, and should become part of the Australian canon.”
“The Redfern Oratorio is incredible - I haven't felt such penetrating emotion from music for a long time and, as with many people, found tears welling up from almost the very first note as well as a visceral response through the whole body. Both the score and the libretto were superb - so many clever and moving moments, and using the "imagine" theme was a masterstroke.
“During the first gentle bars with the word IMAGINE, you could feel the audience sit up. It was: ELECTRIC. The two soloists were superb. And the orchestra rose to the score that reminded me of the best of Leonard Bernstein. Forty five minutes of divine chorus (yes it sounded heavenly, then powerful and harsh, as drums and cymbals crashed.”
“We were enthralled. At the intermission people exclaimed that they had been at a pivotal event: music that was in the zeitgeist. The notes of gratitude poured in. Talked to Paul Keating at the break and he compared the Oratorio to Das Lied Von der Erde by Mahler. At a time when rehearsal was so difficult and moods challenging ALL the performers and organisers deserve a medal. And I am still dealing with umpteen requests for the CD. I have about 6 concerts in my memory bank that I try to reply in my imagination.IMAGINE, is one of them.”
“I just want to congratulate you again on the triumph that was the Redfern Oratorio! It’s not often that Ode to Joy is upstaged, but the premiere well and truly stole the show.. We were on a high for the rest of the day, it was magnificent!”
I noticed that Paul Keating was seriously appreciative too and, as mentioned, he said words to the effect that it was a profound piece of work and immensely important.”
“The performance of The Redfern Oratorio at Sydney Town Hall was a thoroughly moving and spectacular experience for me. I was honoured to be there. The composition of the choral work was extremely beautiful, uplifting and inspiring and was magnificently performed by the choir and the solo performers - led superbly by the composer, Christopher Bowen.
What a wonderful way to honour the deeply significant Redfern speech of December 1992, given by Paul Keating. It was exciting to see him there in the audience enjoying the performance.”
“…what a stupendous concert you presented yesterday. The Redfern Oratorio is incredible - I haven't felt such penetrating emotion from music for a long time and, as with many people, found tears welling up from almost the very first note as well as a visceral response through the whole body. Both the score and the libretto were superb - so many clever and moving moments, and using the "imagine" theme was a masterstroke.
I noticed that Paul Keating was seriously appreciative too and, as mentioned, he said words to the effect that it was a profound piece of work and immensely important.
Given the interest in many countries for First Peoples' rights, I hope that the Oratorio is taken up by some international companies. Germany and France, for example…
Strikes me, too, that with this and the War Requiem you've created a wonderful niche for new Australian dramatic works of historical significance. Bring on some more!”
“Today’s premier performance was dramatic. It made your soul sing. The music enlivened and engaged the heartfelt vision of Prime Minister Keating’s 1992 landmark call of an ‘ode to joy’.
Christopher and your choir made the Oratorio a powerful experience. Sitting in the audience your music and the choirs clear voice allowed us to truly imagine an understanding of Paul Keating’s intention”.
“I just want to congratulate you again on the triumph that was the Redfern Oratorio! It’s not often that Ode to Joy is upstaged, but the premiere well and truly stole the show.. We were on a high for the rest of the day, it was magnificent!”
“I do hope you were justifiably proud today at the success and reception your Redfern Oratorio received. It was wonderful and brought a tear to my eye. Paul Keating looked pretty happy when I spoke to him at half time too. The ode to joy was a good combo too.”
“Congratulations on the world premier of this spectacular work. I sincerely hope it is performed around Australia and leads us further down the path to reconciliation with our First Nations people.”