Rhythms of discovery: Kate Tempany’s Great Barrier Reef Concerto
Ahead of its premiere with the University of Melbourne Wind Symphony, Kate Tempany discusses her latest work, 'Great Barrier Reef Concerto'. An intricate blend of Guinean rhythms and Western harmonies, highlighting our profound connection to the natural world.
Music finds us in the most unexpected places. This is certainly true for composer, Kate Tempany, whose musical journey began far from the usual path.
At 19, a peace march at Pine Gap in the Northern Territory led Kate to a scene she would never forget: people playing and creating music together with pots, pans, and old buckets.
Their rudimentary rhythms, spontaneous and joyful, marked a turning point in her life.
“There was something so inclusive about the rhythm,” says Kate. “There was no need for any kind of script or notation, it was just something that came from within.”
This newfound passion took her to India, where she immersed herself in the intricate rhythmic structures of North Indian classical music. This also became her first introduction to composition.
Kate eventually returned home and started her formal education in music, focusing on a unique mix of ethnomusicology and composition.
“During my Honours year, I traced the roots of various musical traditions as far back as I could go. I found that many Western musical structures have origins in different places – Western classical music has its polonaise [a dance or musical form of Polish origin], or a Turkish march for example.
“For me, music is a discussion across cultural boundaries. The similarities in rhythm and pitch across different traditions amaze me.”
Blending traditions: ‘Great Barrier Reef Concerto’
Kate's most recent work, the 'Great Barrier Reef Concerto', is as a testament to her longstanding interest in intercultural music.
The piece was developed in collaboration with Guinean drummer, Mohamed Camara, who has been Kate’s Guinean percussion teacher for half a decade.
“Mohamed is an incredible wellspring of artistic vision,” says Kate.
“It was a rewarding challenge to create a composition that aligned with Mohamed’s playing style. I incorporated elements that I knew would naturally fall within the Guinean idiom, which meant he could play without being tethered to a score.”
“It’s been an incredible process, because West African percussion music possess a rhythm that might seem unconventional to Western listeners. While Western ears might discern a 4/4 or 12/8 time signature, this distinction is more fluid in West African music interpretations.”
Beyond the mechanics of music, the concerto is also a reflection of Kate’s belief in music’s unifying power.
"Considering the significance we give to high-profile concert stages in terms of funding, status, and prestige, it's important these stages reflect diverse musical traditions,” she says.
“It’s important we engage with all the different kinds of art music we have in Australia. While this can be a difficult process, requiring a lot of patience, I see this as an important step forward.”
Drawing inspiration from the Reef
The concerto draws deeply from the pulsating life of coral ecosystems, mirroring the vibrant patterns and relationships that characterise our oceans.
“While the piece is rooted in the majesty of the Great Barrier Reef, it’s also about our profound connection to it – a symbol of our desire to be part of something magnificent, transcendent and interconnected.”
The concerto, which Kate developed over many months, stems from her extensive reading on the Reef through scientific papers.
"This research was instrumental, providing me with exquisite metaphors which, after percolating for some time, directed the piece’s evolution," she says.
For Kate, the work is not just an auditory experience, but a multi-sensory immersion.
“I’m excited for listeners at the concert to be swept up in a world of vivid sensation ranging from vast rolling currents to dazzling colouristic effects, with a highlight being the exhilarating Guinean percussion. It’s also a performance for all ages, with a lot for young children to enjoy in the work, too.”
Kate Tempany’s ‘Great Barrier Reef Concerto’ will be performed by the University of Melbourne’s Wind Symphony in ‘Reverberations’ on Sunday 15 October, 5pm. Book your tickets via the Art Centre Melbourne website.