Two Southern Ocean Survival Songs

These unique songs re-live the survival dramas of two Wandering Albatrosses (The Wanderers) and of Emperor Penguins (The Emperors).

(A) The Wanderers

Full score, 33 pages, with separate parts for Flute, Bb Clarinet, Violin, Viola and Cello. About 10 minutes 45 seconds.

“We glide into the morning’s silent vapours resting on the heaving sea. Ooooshu, ooshu.
And suck in life’s oxygen which bears us onward, compass square to a nameless, lonely landfall, lonely landfall.”

The first few lines from The Wanderers

(B) The Emperors

Full score, 63 pages, with separate parts for Flute, Bb Clarinet, Violin, Viola and Cello. About 15 minutes 30 seconds

“See through glassy eye that monochrome huddle. Oh woe, living tumulus, outrageous!
It feels the frigid torch, yet still unmoved, defiant. Stupifying cold, courageous!
Hear the bag-pipe drone, incessant with punctuating howl.
Unforgiving blasting force eight gale.
Feel the Crécy storm of icy barbs spinning wild, smothering stings:
Eons thick is Nature’s own chainmail. Whoo, Who-oh-oh-oh”

The first few lines from The Emperors