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Anthony RitchieAnthony Ritchie (b. 1960)
Whalesong (2006)

Dale Gold (double bass), New Zealand Symphony Orchestra/Pietari Inkinen
Recorded by Radio New Zealand Concert
21 July 2007

Whalesong

The piece takes its inspiration from a marvelous and famous recording of a humpback whale, made by Frank Watlington of Columbia University Geophysical Field Station, and first released by Roger Payne in 1970. Some phrases from this song have been incorporated into the music, such as the opening rise of a third. The many sliding phrases in the piece owe a debt to the whale’s singing, as do some low rumbling effects on the double bass.

Whalesong is dedicated to bassist Dale Gold.