Shop: Thomas Misson

Thomas Misson

Thomas Misson is a Hobart-based composer and pianist. Misson graduated with Bachelor of Music in Music Composition with First Class Honours from the University of Tasmania. He has been commissioned by the Australian Chamber Orchestra and Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra and placed in national composition prizes. As a pianist he holds an LMusA with Distinction and numerous open prizes from the Hobart Eisteddfod including the Nelle Ashdown Memorial Award. Misson also worked as a music journalist for CutCommon between 2014 and 2017.

Saturday Night Tuberculosis. Thomas Misson. Score for solo piano. From the composer: “This piece was commissioned by Hobart pianist Jack Barnes in 2014. Jack’s flair for rhythmic and percussive works made for a clear brief: a percussive and virtuosic work bursting at the seams with adrenaline with flashes of progressive rock, jazz, and drum and bass”.[purchase_link id=”1882″ style=”button” color=”red” text=”Add to Cart”]

Kunanyi Ascent. Thomas Misson. Score for solo violin. 2016. From the composer: “A solo violin piece written for Emily Sheppard depicting a matutinal experience of Kunanyi full of panflute, birdsong and rustling of vegetation”. Kunanyi is the first and Indigenous name for Mount Wellington in Tasmania.[purchase_link id=”7425″ style=”button” color=”red” text=”Add to Cart”]

Piano Sonata. Thomas Misson. Score for solo piano. 2017. From the composer: “Cast in five movements, this piece tracks a 27-minute journey from comfort and love to mental illness”. Five movements include: Auspices Ex Avibus, Ardent Narcosis, Asphyxic Purgatory, Amygdalic Blitz, and Aftermath. This piece was composed for pianist Jack Barnes.[purchase_link id=”11086″ style=”button” color=”red” text=”Add to Cart”]

Thomas Misson – Piano Sonata (2017) – 27 minutes

I: Auspices ex Avibus – 4 ½ minutes

Birds envisage of an ominous future despite the warmth, comfort and optimism of their
surroundings.

II: Ardent Narcosis – 5 ½ minutes

A serene, sun-kissed middle section is bookended by sections of relentlessly volatile romantic hysteria.

III: Asphyxic Voids – 4 minutes

An aimless aria winds its way through this movement in wearied submission. Air bubbles can be heard in the middle of this section, seemingly in perpetual descent. At the end of this section, heartbeat-like utterances can be heard.

VI: Amygdalic Blitz – 4 ½ minutes

Untamed energy, ecstatic tension between fight and flight. The last part of the section gives in to unfettered maniacal and violent instincts bringing about its own orgiastic destruction.

V: Aftermath – 8 minutes

A limbo-esque state of suspension between good and evil.

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Image of Kunanyi: Martine Turmine via Flickr CC2.0.