A work for pre-recorded electronics, piano and percussion.  Based on the story of Russell Keats, son of Australian composer Horace Keats, who was killed in action on the HMAS Canberra in 1942.

Voice of the Depths-Peter McNamara (Excerpt)

Ever wondered what a broken computer hard drive would sound like in music?  Well here is the piece that realises it!  Performed by the Sam Gill Quartet and Brad Gill-vibraphone.

Failing Hard Drive Study-Tristan Coelho (Excerpt)

Excerpt of "Transfigured Continent" by Peter McNamara.  Amplified bowed cymbal-Brad Gill, alto flute-Jane Bishop, alto saxophone-Andrew Smith, cello-Mary Rapp, work also includes video.

Peter McNamara's Album

Transfigured Continent [excerpt]

Excerpt of "Cadenza II" by Peter McNamara.  Mary Rapp-cello.

Cadenza II [excerpt]

An excerpt from "White Noise" by Peter McNamara for soprano, bass flute and vibraphone.  Performed by Zoe Drummond-soprano, Jane Bishop-bass flute and Brad Gill-vibraphone.

White Noise [Excerpt]

Peter McNamara-composer, Chloe Lankshear-soprano, Alicia Crossley-tenor recorder, Brad Gill-percussion

De Rerum Natura II excerpt

I composed this piece as part of my Masters degree at Excelsia college, in a composition unit that required I use more technology and audio processing than I ever have before (which isn't a hard feat, as I've never really used any technology to compose before!) I recorded various audio elements using my phone and a Mikme recorder, and edited the audio using Logic Pro. I also processed audio using programs called SoundHack and Cecilia. 

This piece was inspired by my mother's experience of moving to Australia from Scotland when she was 17. She has often shared memories of that time in her life with me. This was combined with friends I have made at uni who are international students, and hearing about their experiences of adjusting to living in a different culture, and the struggles but also joys of that experience. I wanted to use this piece to help others to connect with the experiences of people who move to another country and have to cope with the differences of life in a new place. I included musical interludes inspired by music of significance to the three people who feature in this work; firstly, the music of the Beach Boys, which was important to my mother when she first moved her; secondly, Christian worship music that marked my Malaysian friend's early days in Australia singing with the Christian group at uni; and finally, folk music from the Haryana region which is significant for a friend who comes from India.

Home

Premiered by: Dean Newcomb, cl, Martin Phillipson, tpt, Amanda Grigg, perc, Xiaoxia Zhao, guqin, Janet Anderson, vln, Ewen Bramble, vc and James Ledger, cond.

Recorded at the Space Theatre, Adelaide, 20/9/2012.

As the Dust Rises (guqin/mixed ensemble)

For large chamber ensemble, NJO conducted by Hans Leenders.

Perpetual Inertia

I am a contemporary classical composer working in Sydney, Australia.  I have composed across a wide variety of areas including orchestral, chamber, electronic, film and installations.  Please visit my website or contact the Australian Music Centre or my publisher Wirripang Pty Ltd for more details.

Perpetual Inertia

petermcnamara