The Quay
Circular Quay is an inherently dramatic place. It is a focal point for city and harbour traffic, it is the setting for two of Australia's most famous landmarks, the Harbour Bridge and the Opera House, and it is neighbour to Luna Park, placing the sounds of the merry-go-round next door to the sounds of opera and the concert hall.
It was a sacred place for aborigines and it was the site of the First Land of white settlement. These associations are everpresent among the counterpoint of machinery as ferries and hydrofoils constantly come and go, and trains clank across the bridge.
These sounds combine with outdoor performances by dance groups, brass bands and jazz bands.
Circular Quay is also people, a favourite place for romantic rendez-vous, as lovers dine or stoll in this unique place where city meets the sea.
Casting its spell over the entire scene is the presence of the mighty Tasman Ocean and beyond it the Pacific.
The Quay is written in rondo form. Fragments of the main theme are heard in an introduction which combines memories of the past - the sounds of corroboree - with the mechanical rhythms of the present, and the eternal cry of gulls. These resolve into various bells and hooters announcing the first statement of the main theme wich takes us on a ferry ride. As this ends, the counter-rhythm of a train crossing the bridge is heard.
This leads to broad theme representing the spell of the Tasman. The main theme returns in a more jazzy setting as different small craft move across the harbour. A yacht race.
A romantic theme is now heard. Lovers meet and Circular Quay is important only for them, because they are together there.
The main theme returns combined with the sounds of carnival. It is evening and across the water the lights of Luna Park can be seen.
A march theme is heard. It could be part of an outdoor entertainment at the Opera House, but then, for the Coda, the theme broadens and deepens and becomes part of a much bigger celebration, and as it concludes, there is a suggestion of a massive display of fireworks in the sky.
Listen...