The “Australian War Requiem” which was premiered in 2014 to critical acclaim will be broadcast on 2MBS Fine Music on Anzac Day, Friday 25th April 2025.
Julie Symonds will be publishing her interview with me on Monday, January 6th 2025 as part of her fabulous 100% Australian music series.
Music featured : “The Redfern Oratorio” and the satirical work “Democratie” based on Arthur Rimbaud’s extraordinary prose poem.
“THE REDFERN ORATORIO” will be broadcast on ABC Classic FM on Tuesday 10th December at 8pm. on the 32nd anniversary of Paul Keating’s iconic and historic speech which was made in Redfern Park on 10th December 1992.
Commissioned by Robyn Williams AO, with music set to an inspiring libretto by Pamela Traynor based on the finest speech ever made in this country, this is another opportunity to imagine a vibrant future based on a truthful acceptance of our history since the European colonisation of Australia and its subjugation and suppression of the world’s oldest continuous living culture.
'The latest commissioned work "“Song for Aidan” will receive its first performance on Sunday 7th May. To be performed by the Sydney University Graduate Choir , this work of approximately 10 minutes duration, captures the sense of loss and grief expressed in a tender , deeply heartfelt poem written by a mother , contemplating the sudden and tragic death of a beloved son. The composition is an intimate dialogue between the mother (sung by the choir) and her son , whose wordless voice is represented by the solo oboe.
The work is composed for 4 sopranos, S.A.T.B Choir, oboe and piano/harp.
Exciting news!
“THE REDFERN ORATORIO” will be broadcast on ABC Classic FM in the “Lunchtime Concert” program on Saturday the 27th May, the first day of “Reconciliation Week”.
On Tuesday 25th April, excerpts from the Oratorio will be broadcast on 2MBS Fine Music in the morning at 7.30am.
On ANZAC DAY 25th April at 1pm excerpts from the”AUSTRALIAN WAR REQUIEM” will be broadcast on 2MBS Fine Music as part of their “Tribute To Anzac Day” program.
SYDNEY UNIVERSITY GRADUATE CHOIR
directed by Christopher Bowen OAM
Sunday 5th May 3.00pm Auditorium, Ashfield Boy’s High School,
“THE GREAT MA(y)TINEE”
Discover and experience an extraordinary program of music inspired by the unique Romani culture and the vibrant folk music of Argentina together with a dash of Schubert. This is a wonderfully diverse concert for the restless and adventurous music lover.
Misa Criolla - Ariel Ramirez Zigeunerlieder Opus 103 - Johannes Brahms Liebesgram - Robert Schumann Zigeunerleben - Robert Schumann Mirjams Siegesgesang D - Franz Schubert
Amy Moore - soprano Hernan Flores - tenor
Noah Peres - piano Paul Laszlo - Double Bass Ann Palumbo - guitar Steven Machamer - percussion JB Smith - percussion Will Naayen - percussion
CENTRAL COAST CHORALE
directed by Christopher Bowen OAM
Sunday 26th May 2.30pm Auditorium, St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, East Gosford
“SHOWTIME”
A fun filled afternoon of hits from the stage and popular music.
SYDNEY UNIVERSITY GRADUATE CHOIR & ORCHESTRA
directed by Christopher Bowen OAM
Sunday 11th August 3.00pm, Great Hall, University of Sydney
“Dettingen” Te Deum - Georg Frideric Handel Missa Ultima - Johann Adolf Hasse (Australian premiere performance)
Molly Ryan - soprano Keara Donohoe - mezzo-soprano Timothy Chung - alto Richard Butler - tenor Simon Lobelson - bass
SYDNEY UNIVERSITY GRADUATE CHOIR & ORCHESTRA
directed by Christopher Bowen OAM
Sunday3rd November 3.00pm, Great Hall, Sydney University
“SYDNEY SINGS”
“ELIJAH” - Felix Mendelssohn
Lana Kains - soprano Stephanie Dillon - mezzo soprano Andrew Goodwin - tenor Eugene Raggio - bass
CENTRAL COAST CHORALE
directed by Christopher Bowen OAM
Sunday 3rd December 2.30pm, St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, East Gosford
“CHRISTMAS ON THE COAST”
“CHRISTMAS at the TOWN HALL”
Tuesday 17th December 8:00pm, Sydney Town Hall
The annual musical extravaganza at the Sydeny Town Hall celebrating Christmas featuring
Sydney University Graduate Choir Central Coast Chorale Sydney Community College Choir N.S.W Police Band Titus Grenyer - organist
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.”
“I have read with great interest the libretto and the score of “The Redfern Oratorio” and find it very important that it should be performed in Sydney and other Australian cities”
DANIEL BARENBOIM
On Sunday 13 November 2022, the first performance of “The Redfern Oratorio” (commissioned by Dr. Robyn Williams AO) took place in the Sydney Town Hall. The music is set to a libretto by Pamela Traynor, inspired by Paul Keating’s iconic 1992 Redfern Speech which was delivered 30 years ago and represents a significant turning point in our movement towards a reconciliation with Indigenous Australians and a truthful acceptance and understanding of our history since colonisation.
Programmed with the “Ode to Joy” by Ludwig van Beethoven the longing for freedom, equality and justice for all resonates in both works and invites a new imagining of our world.
Sydney University Graduate Choir & Orchestra
directed by Christopher Bowen
Amy Moore - soprano
Ashlyn Tymms - mezzo soprano
Nicholas Jones - tenor
Adrian Tamburini - bass
A performance by the Sydney University Graduate Choir under the direction of Christopher Bowen of Gabriel Fauré’s “Requiem” will take place in the Great Hall , Sydney University on Sunday 14th August at 3.00pm .
The performance will introduce a new orchestration by Christopher Bowen of this ever popular work. Unlike the original orchestration the new one expands the string section to include 1st and 2nd violins. The original organ and harp parts are retained with the addition of 2 french horns in F
The complete instrumental requirements are Strings 4. 4..4. 2. 1. 2 Horns, Organ & Harp
“Firemusic” commissioned by Australian violist Michelle Pritchard was premiered 23rd April, 8pm at the Doopsgezinde Kerk, Middelburg. and performed again on May 30th at 7.15pm in the Conservatoriumzaal, Amare, Den Hague.
This work, a rhapsodic lamentation for viola (Michelle Pritchard) and piano (Gerard Boeters), is inspired by the tragic and catastrophic fires which ravaged New South Wales in 2020, resulting in the appalling destruction of animal life and the environment.
The following text was included in the program notes for the premiere of the work
“With a view to working with him on a composition for my Master studies, I contacted him at the start of 2021 and proposed we work together on the creation of a new work for viola and piano. Through this “Firemusic” was created.
Here I include a quote from our email correspondence.
“Regarding “Firemusic“ , I think I have just had an inspired idea.. Considering what is happening all over the world with the climate and especially reflecting on the immense tragedy of the 2019-2020 NSW bushfires I thought that after all the violent energy in “Firemusic”, I could finish with a meditation on the destruction of both human and native animal life. I think it would be a great contrast and juxtaposition of ideas."
We shared media pictures of the horrific devastation of the bushfires and had several discussions and “Zoom” workshops whilst the work was being created. I contributedto the creative elements of this work by suggesting certain effects- for example for animal screaming- glissando, portamento and articulation. The draft scores were updated in between each workshop. I would annotate them with the elements we had discussed referencing recordings of our workshops- either audio or visual with my phone or via Zoom recording. These scores were returned to Bowen via email.
“Firemusic” is a lament for nature. It is a one movement work made up of three main sections. Opening with solo viola, the sorrowful lament continues until the piano interjects with “fire” fragments. The middle section represents the fire, as well as the virtuosic writing, the fiery fragments are developed and you can hear sound effects of birds and animals, exhausted, dying, screeching and in pain. This section closes with a duo-cadenza (in both viola and piano). The final section, a meditation including aspects of the opening lament in altered form, accompanied by the piano.
For the first time an S.A.T.B arrangement of Beethoven’s “Gellert Lieder” is available.
These seldom performed lieder are a reminder of the quality of Beethoven’s many lesser known works.
The six lieder are scored for S.A.T.B choir and piano accompaniment. The last piece “Bußlied” requires an additional soprano soloist.
Camille Saint-Saëns “Gloria Patri” is also available for S.A.T.B choir, solo horn and organ. This another fine example of this composer’s inspiring and beautiful sacred music.
A new composition for unaccompanied viola has been recently completed.
The Étude "dancing bird" is approximately 3:12 in duration and explores the the use of tri-tones and fluctuating rhythms. The piece would be ideal for the serious viola student who has reached intermediate level. (7th Grade + AMEB) As the title suggests the piece takes its inspiration from the dance of a bird trying to impress a would be mate.
SYDNEY UNIVERSITY GRADUATE CHOIR & ORCHESTRA
directed by Christopher Bowen OAM
Sunday 14th August 3.00pm, Great Hall, University of Sydney
“IN PARADISUM”
Requiem Op.48 - Gabriel Fauré
Stabat Mater D 383 - Franz Schubert
Elke Hook - soprano
Richard Butler - tenor
Andrew O’Connor - bass
SYDNEY UNIVERSITY GRADUATE CHOIR
directed by Christopher Bowen OAM
Sunday 8th May 3.00pm Auditorium, Fort Street High School, Petersham
“SINGING ON 2022”
A celebration in music and song.
Included in this diverse program are the following works:
Gellert Lieder - Beethoven (arr. Bowen) Gloria Patri - Saint-Saëns (arr. Bowen) 4 Gesänge Opus 17 (S.A choir, harp & 2 horns) - Brahms Nachthelle (T.B choir & tenor solo) - Schubert Tantum ergo Opus 55 - Fauré Cantique de Jean Racine - Faure Diffugere nives (premiere performance) - Courtney Cousins Alleluia - Bowen
Amy Moore - soprano
Nathan Bryon - tenor
Alastair Duff-Forbes - violin
Tracy Wan - violin
Andrew Jezek - viola
John Benz - violoncello
Graham Nicholls , Tina Brain - french horns
Owen Torr - harp
Noah Peres - piano
“The Redfern Oratorio” , an extended work for large orchestra, choir ,solo soprano and bass will receive its premiere performance on Sunday 13th November at the Sydney Town Hall as part of the “Sydney Sings” series of concerts.
The work was commissioned by Dr. Robyn Williams AM and composed to a text by Pamela Traynor, inspired by the the landmark “Redfern Speech” delivered by the then Prime Minister, Paul Keating, on the 10th December 1992.
The performance will celebrate the 30th anniversary of that momentous occasion. and remind us all of the deep and profound need for truth and honesty when dealing with this nation’s history since colonisation and the subsequent brutal attempts to suppress and destroy its rightful owners, the First Nations people and their culture.
Details of the concert will be given later on this year.
It has just been announced that “An Australian War Requiem” will be broadcast on ABC Classic FM on Anzac Day, 25th April. The performance took place on November 11th, 2018 in the Sydney Town Hall to commemorate the 100th Anniversary of the end of World War 1. This broadcast is especially poignant as it features the extraordinary voice of Taryn Fiebig, who recently, and before her time, passed away. She was a wonderful singer and an inspiration to us all.
The recently commissioned work “A Fragment of Sappho” is a setting of Fragment 16 by the poet Sappho.
Through her representation of the story of Helen of Troy and her beguiling beauty, Sappho reminds us all of love’s power and its ability to change destinies and fate itself.
The work is scored for S.A.T.B Choir, Oboe, French Horn, Harp, Piano and String Quartet.
The premiere of “A Fragment of Sappho” will take place in the Auditorium of Fort Street High School, Petersham on Sunday, 2nd May at 3pm.
On Anzac Day ,Thursday 25th April at 2.00pm my “Australian War Requiem” will be broadcast at 2.00pm. There is also a very informative article about this work in the April edition of their magazine. This work has received a great deal of exposure since the premiere in 2014 and received some wonderful reviews. See the earlier posts.
On Thursday 21st March at 1pm , a recording of a concert featuring the music of Mendelssohn and Otto Nicolai can be heard on Fine Music102.5 FM. The concert took place last year in the Great Hall of Sydney University featuring the soloists; Elke Hook, Angela Lim, Keara Donohoe, Joshua Oxley, Tony Suryanthono, David Hidden with the Sydney University Graduate Choir and Orchestra conducted by Christopher Bowen. The Psalms 42 and 114 by Mendelssohn are heard rarely and deserve a place in the established repertoire. The Te Deum by Nicolai was in fact the first performance in Australia of this neglected work. This is another rare opportunity to hear this wonderful work.
In April there will be another broadcast of “An Australian War Requiem”. The exact date will be advised later this month.
The annual Christmas spectacular is almost upon us. No doubt, as in past years, the Town Hall will be packed.
An exciting new arrangement of “Personent Hodie” will be performed by the combined choirs in addition to a joyous arrangement of “The Twelve Days of Christmas”.
The Australian War Requiem received its second performance on Armistice Day, November 11th at the Sydney Town Hall. The response has been incredible and confirms the work’s status as a major addition to the repertoire.
Some of the responses from the public:
" I needed to congratulate you on today’s performance of the Bowen magnum opus, An Australian War Requiem at Sydney Town Hall. It seemed to me that a spell was cast from the first sound that we heard. Attention was riveted and time flew past, emotional engendered in us by the magnitude of the many outstanding qualities of this gripping work. I found myself almost taking part in the action described by the sheer musical creativity that elucidates in this amazing piece.”
“The forces ranged to present An Australian War Requiem did such appreciable justice to this great work, from setting the scene in context with the images and readings from letters at the outset, to the fading last note of the bagpiper. I felt as if had not drawn breath from beginning to end, so involved was I, and so grateful to be able to enjoy fully the vocal contributions, a bonus being the possibility personally to convey this gratitude and appreciation to the singers and the flawless trumpeter.”
“I hope you will enjoy time mulling over the details of the performance and even perhaps reliving it. The powerful poignancy and reverence for the sacrifices made in that war, are fully realised in Christopher’s work of genius. Bravissimo - particularly to you Christopher for marrying the music so perfectly to Pamela’s moving and lucid text. And to the choir, our combined gratitude for doing such honour to this great work. I am grateful to be on my own this evening so that I can live in the memory of this afternoon’s experience."
“Thank you for such a moving performance yesterday - congratulations to you both and the entire musical forces involved. The soloists (wow), orchestra and choirs were superb and the music, text and visuals were poignant and sensitive tributes to those who died serving their country. I was in the front row and was thoroughly absorbed by the performance.”
"A truly wonderful remarkable moving performance...I want you to do a repeat performance tomorrow night so I can have the experience all over again please -it had a deep response within that is with us still. The last post and the bagpiper left moist eyes".
“The performance was dazzling and unforgettable.”
“I had friends in the audience who were moved to tears. What a fantastic artwork, congratulations to Christopher.”
“A truly memorable event and one of my favourite works ever.”
“What a piece !!!!!! Amazing .It should be played every year . I was moved ...”
“I so loved the performance yesterday. The choir sounded brilliant and the soloists, childrens’ choir were wonderful too. The orchestra was stunning.”