Ella Macens | The Space Between Stars for Symphony Orchestra

For my grandfather Artūrs, who passed away whilst this piece was being composed. Performed by the Sydney Conservatorium of Music Symphony Orchestra | Conductor: Eduardo Diazmunoz.

When I began composing this work, I imagined the listener lying in an open field - the earth in total stillness. I imagined them gazing up at the night sky, watching as it glowed with millions of bright shining stars. I pondered the question, “what is the space between stars? Is this space empty? Is this space silent? Could this space be charged with the energy of those who are no longer with us?”. Through this piece I wanted to convey the energy and magic of our night sky, and explore the power that I believe it holds. I wanted to explore the delicate and graceful elements, such as the flickering lights, the beautiful tones and the soft smudge of a falling star, as well as the bold and triumphant concept of enormous constellations surrounding us.

The Space Between Stars is my second piece for symphony orchestra, and was originally composed for the Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra in conjunction with the Sydney Conservatorium of Music’s inaugural National Women Composers’ Development Program (2016-17). In October 2017 I had the opportunity to spend two days in Hobart with the TSO, workshopping my new ideas with the guidance of Australian composers Maria Grenfell and Matthew Hindson. There is nothing quite like the feeling you get when you stand in front of an orchestra and hear your music come to life for the first time, and for me this particular experience was simultaneously one of the most exhilarating yet overwhelming moments of my life as I relived the immediate grief surrounding the loss of my grandfather through the music.

To my grandfather Artūrs, may you rest peacefully among the stars.

[WoodenWhale]

Such a beautiful piece!! I have listened to it so many times and it never gets old

[thebrunelsinfonia]

Rarely have we played anything that so immediately captured every the whole orchestra - what a magical piece to play. Love listening to it and can’t wait to perform it!

[cloudykumori]

From Australia :O Your music was in our trials Exam for year 12 and i was just so amazed because it was so beautiful ❤💛💛This is art 🤌

[foxfox]

Fantastic this is beautiful Ella
So glad that I meet you cheers

[agveran]

Hi Ella! We were stunned by this piece lately in SOH Concert Hall.Bravo to your talent and sure more wonderful pieces waiting to be performed. Wishing you the great inspiration! You're awesome

[markr]

Well Ella, what a delight to hear your sublime composition played this morning on ABC Classic. Thank you for this precious gift.

[MarkJohnMcEncroe]

This is absolutely beautiful & I can imagine the "Dark Matter" between the stars.

[madeleineparker-hill]

I heard this piece on the radio yesterday and fell in love! What an amazing composition and performance!

[AndrewHHems]

This is glorious. On par with Mahler's no.9 x

[retrohexdesign]

so magical. I went and saw JAMES EHNES PERFORMS BEETHOVEN performance at Sydney Opera house end of November and at the beggining was your piece "50 Fanfares commission". It was simply magnificent, it moved me to tears in how powerful it was. So beautiful. You really do have phenomenal talent. Is there anywhere we can listen to that piece?

[russellcharlton]

I heard this on ABC radio. Was immediately transfixed.

[tomgutteridge]

Hi Ella, I'm not sure if you're aware that many Australian First Nations cultures see the constellations of the night sky in the way you describe. The Emu in the Sky, for example " is not made by connecting the dots of the bright stars into a familiar pattern. Rather, it is composed of the dark patches of the Milky Way – the space between the stars."