Guruwull is an exciting collaboration between Paul and Dharawal Aboriginal Elder, Les Bursill. Commissioned by The Voices of Sydney Choir in 2010, the piece was conceived through weeks of research and practical field work. Paul and Les walked and talked his country, learning the law and the cultural ways first hand. Les, being a leader in Dharawal language, guided Paul through the journey of representing Indigenous text respectfully and accuratley. The result is a programmatic work that is an evocative challenge for SATB choir.
In Les Bursills words – The coming of Guruwull and the singing of the Law
“When the Pleiades rise in the sky and the Wattle flowers come into bloom, then comes the Great Whale Guruwull and comes the time of plenty. It is the time when the people gather at the sacred place – food is plentiful – songs and dances are performed and the Law is sung and told”.
“The people learn the right way, Luma Luma tells them the true way. Guruwull, bringer of plenty, bringer of the law, singer of songs, preoparer of dances. Luma Luma, teller of truth and correctness”.
Also available is the partner piece in this series, ‘Marloo’.