The sea, once it casts its spell, holds one in its net of wonder forever. 

– Jacques Cousteau

When approached by the West Australian Symphony Orchestra to compose a new piece featuring its chorus, I was inspired by the idea of looking out from the Western shoreline into the vast beauty of the ocean. This commission was made possible by Catherine Dunn and members of the WASO Chorus, giving me the rare opportunity to compose a large-scale work with a truly epic choral part. 

Paul Stanhope. Photo © Keith Saunders

Titled Mahāsāgar – the Hindi word for ‘ocean’ – the piece speaks both to the specific marine environment of the Indian Ocean and to broader, universal themes. Best described as a symphonic song cycle in five movements, the structure mirrors the rise and slanted fall of a wave. The commission also facilitated the creation of new poetry by Australian writers. The first and final movements, Nara Koort (Seashore Heart) and High Tide for Healing, feature modular Noongar phrases created by Koreng Wudjari Noongar poet Cass Lynch, paired with English poetic responses. The poetry reflects the enduring presence and cultural continuity...