Orchestral Works
Orchestral works by Katy Abbott: two symphonies, an orchestral fanfare, pieces with narrator and voices, and works for string orchestra. Ranging from professional orchestra and string orchestra to works for community and youth ensembles. Scores and parts are linked with each piece.
Orchestra and Chamber Orchestra
Hidden Thoughts: Stories of Awe
(2024)
Narrator + Mezzo-sop + Bass-Baritone + Orchestra
Duration: 48 minutes
Text: Katy Abbott with Maureen Johnson.
Please contribute a story for this work by completing this short questionnaire: bit.ly/stories-of-awe
Premiere August 9 + 10, 2024 Melbourne Symphony Orchestra.
> See this page for more details
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1.1.1.1. 2.1.1.1. Hp. Narr. Timp + 2. 8.6.4.2.1.
Commissioned by Adelaide Symphony Orchestra and Symphony Australia
Recording: ABC Classics featuring Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra.
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Resources (see The Peasant Prince Feature Page for full list)
Teacher Resource Book for Primary Classroom (Digital and Hardcopy available)
1.1.2.1+ sax. 1.1.1.0. Hp. Timp + 2. 8.6.4.2.1.
Commissioned: Melbourne Symphony Orchestra together with Albert H. Maggs Award.
Premiere: March 5-7, 2014, Melbourne Symphony Orchestra/Dollman.
Process Diary & Analysis available from Katy Abbott by request.
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Fast Ride In A Suave Machine
(2006/arr.2020, Steven Stanke)
Orchestra
Duration: 7 minutes
3.2.3.2. 4.3.3.1. Timp + 2. 10.8.6.4.2.
With thanks to Steven Stanke for this Orchestral arrangement.
Fast Ride in a Suave Machine is a play on a well-known tune. Revisiting the rhymes we knew as children can be a curious revelation, once we notice the true and often gruesome nature of the words. Ring-a-Ring-a-Rosie has its origins in the era of the Black Plague, and in Rock-a-bye-Baby the baby falls ‘cradle and all’.
Singing Three Blind Mice to my own children years ago, the grisly side of the text struck me. The music is fast and playful in spirit, while nodding to the darkness underneath. This work was commissioned by Orchestras Australia as part of a composer attachment in 2005/06, supported by the Australia Council Music Board through their initiative, Composer_Connecting_Community.
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Carmen Vitae: Orchestral Fanfare
(2000)
Orchestra
Duration: 4 minutes
2.1.2.0 (+ opt saxophone section). 4.3.3.1. Hp. Timp + 3. 10.8.6.4.2.
Carmen Vitae: Orchestral Fanfare was commissioned by Presbyterian Ladies’ College, Melbourne for the school’s 125th Anniversary celebration concert at Hamer Hall in 2000.
It has since been performed by Sydney Symphony Orchestra together with the SYO, and the Adelaide Symphony Orchestra together with the AdYO, amongst other performances.
A version for Wind Symphony will be available later in 2024. Please contact if interested.
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Stars That Split The Night
(2017/arr. 2023, Joseph Twist)
Mezzo-sop + Male Chorus + Orchestra
Duration: 8 minutes
Souls of Fire: Symphony No. 1
(2004)
Orchestra
Duration: 25 minutes
2222 – 4221 – Timp + 2 – Hp – Strings
Recorded: MasterWorks of the New Era Vol 12: Kiev Philharmonic Orchestra/Winston
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String Orchestra
Glacial Thunder
(2024)
String Orchestra
Duration: 8:00 minutes
Glacial Thunder was composed for and commissioned by Melbourne Chamber Orchestra for the opening of their 2024 Season, Music Speaks.
Glacial Thunder aims to pick up on the nuances of resonance in regards to communication; through playful gestures and ensemble “stillness”. Without any direct or specific narrative, the work “plays” with ideas and illuminates the interaction and communication between the musicians and also the composer-orchestra-audience dynamic.
Dedicated to Heather Rowell on the occasion of her 80th birthday.
“Striking, gestural, and crunchy at times… tightly packed melodies and interlocking rhythms ricocheted around the ensemble, morphing into catchy thematic fragments… demonstrating Abbott’s skill in being able to challenge both performer and listener without straying into esotericism.
It was an electric – and thoughtful – choice to kick off MCO’s first concert of the season.”
Lily Begg, Limelight Magazine, March 1, 2024.
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Please ask for an archival recording
Hidden Thoughts: Return to Sender
(2020/arr.2024)
Mezzo-sop + Narrator + String Orchestra
Duration: 60 minutes
Text: Katy Abbott with Maureen Johnson.
From the unopened, returned letters of encouragement from Australians to asylum seekers on Nauru Island.
Composed with support of a Australia Council for the Arts Fellowship (Music).
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Also available for String Quartet.
Crime Scene Investigation
(2004)
Narrator + SSA Choir + String Orchestra + percussion (1 player)
Duration: 8 minutes
Text: Bec Christensen + Katy Abbott
Commissioned: MLC School, Sydney.
Premiere: Sydney Opera House, 2005
Appears on Famous: The Choral Music of Katy Abbott (ABC Classics).
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Feature article on Australian Music Centre’s Resonate Magazine
