Waltzing Matilda

Item details

Description +
- Preface
  
  Originally composed in 1895 by Christina Macpherson (music) and Banjo Paterson (lyrics), Waltzing Matilda is arguably the most well known Australian folk tune. It is often referred to as the “unofficial national anthem” of Australia.
  
  Due to the global pandemic caused by COVID-19, Marimbafest 2021 was only open to local Australians, both faculties and participants (with the very late additions of international faculties attending via online). Having been asked again to compose a set piece for the Open Division of the Marimbafest 2021 Marimba Competition, I took the opportunity to come up with an arrangement of a tune that all Australians would know of; Waltzing Matilda.
  
  Waltzing Matilda is commissioned by Marimbafest 2021, Perth for the Open Division of the Marimbafest 2021 Marimba Competition.
  
  Robert Oetomo
  
  Once a jolly swagman camped by a billabong
  Under the shade of a coolibah tree,
  He sang as he watched and waited 'til his billy boiled
  You'll come a-Waltzing Matilda, with me
  
  Waltzing Matilda, Waltzing Matilda
  You'll come a-Waltzing Matilda, with me
  He sang as he watched and waited 'til his billy boiled,
  You'll come a-Waltzing Matilda, with me
  
  Down came a jumbuck to drink at the billabong,
  Up jumped the swagman and grabbed him with glee,
  He sang as he shoved that jumbuck in his tucker bag,
  You'll come a-Waltzing Matilda, with me
  
  Waltzing Matilda, Waltzing Matilda
  You'll come a-Waltzing Matilda, with me
  He sang as he shoved that jumbuck in his tucker bag, 
  You'll come a-Waltzing Matilda, with me
  
  Up rode the squatter, mounted on his thoroughbred,
  Up rode the troopers, one, two, three,
  With the jolly jumbuck you've got in your tucker bag?
  You'll come a-Waltzing Matilda, with me. 
  
  Waltzing Matilda, Waltzing Matilda
  You'll come a-Waltzing Matilda, with me
  With the jolly jumbuck you've got in your tucker bag?
  You'll come a-Waltzing Matilda, you scoundrel with me. 
  
  Up jumped the swagman and sprang into the billabong,
  You'll never catch me alive, said he,
  And his ghost may be heard as you pass by that billabong,
  You'll come a-Waltzing Matilda, with me.
  
  Waltzing Matilda, Waltzing Matilda
  You'll come a-Waltzing Matilda, with me
  His ghost may be heard as you pass by that billabong,
  You'll come a-Waltzing Matilda, with me.
  
  Lyrics by Banjo Paterson
Instrumentation +
- Marimba (5. Octave)
Watch+
- Performed by Joey Eng
About the composer +
- - Indonesian-born Australian percussionist and composer Robert Oetomo (b. 1988) studied his Master of Music (Künstlerische Ausbildung) degree in performance at the Staatliche Hochschule für Musik und Darstellende Kunst Mannheim, where he received highest distinction for his final graduation recital in 2014. He completed his Bachelor of Music (Performance) Honours Class I at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music, Australia in 2010. His previous teachers include Professor Dennis Kuhn, Jasmin Kolberg, Claire Edwardes, Daryl Pratt, Richard Miller and Gary Wain. He has accumulated many national and international awards including third prize in the Vibraphone category of the 9th Percussive Arts Society Italy International Percussion Competition in 2011, the ‘Just Percussion Marimba Prize’ at the Australian Percussion Gathering (APG) 2010, first prize in both the Open Marimba and Open Vibraphone categories of the 2010 Australian Percussion Eisteddfod and second prize at the 2008 Melbourne Symphony Orchestra Snare Drum Award. He also won the 2010 Sydney Conservatorium Percussion Concerto Competition, and was finalist in the 2012 Yamaha Music Foundation Europe Scholarship Competition.
    
    A versatile percussionist, Robert has performed with different orchestras and ensembles including the Australian Opera and Ballet Orchestra, the Württembergisches Kammerorchester Heilbronn, the Kurpfälzischen Kammerorchester Mannheim, the Australian Youth Orchestra, Synergy Percussion and Mannheimer Schlagwerk. He presented his paper, ‘The Transcription of J. S. Bach’s Unaccompanied Cello Suites for the Modern Marimba,’ at APG 2010 Symposium ‘Moving Ground – The Changing Face of Percussion’. Robert was invited to perform his work, The Legend of the Golden Snail, at the Gala Concert of APG 2010, performing with highly acclaimed percussionists including Steve Schick, Sylvio Gualda and Kuniko Kato.
    
    As a composer, Robert passionately advocates the development of percussion music. He has composed numerous works for percussion which have been performed all over the world. His first symphonic work, Spirit of The Dreaming with solo didgeridoo, was premiered at the ‘2008 Aurora Music Festival’ in Sydney, Australia. Later that year, it was performed again with renowned didgeridoo soloist, William Barton. Robert was selected for the 2010 Ku-Ring-Gai Philharmonic Orchestra Composers' Workshop program during which he composed his new orchestral work, Reflections on an Island’s Landscape, under the mentorship of composer Nigel Butterley and John Peterson. His works are published by Edition Svitzer and Tapspace Publications. Robert is an Encore Mallets, Inc. endorser.
Reviews +
- Review (Percussive Notes, February 2022)
  
  Originally composed in 1895 by Christina Macpherson (music) and Banjo Paterson (lyrics), “Waltzing Matilda” is arguably the most well-known Australian folk tune. It is often referred to as the “unofficial national anthem” of Australia.
  
  Due to the global pandemic caused by COVID-19, Marimbafest 2021 was only open to local Australians, with the late additions of international faculties attending online. “Waltzing Matilda” was commissioned for the Open Division of the Marimbafest 2021 Marimba Competition.
  
  This gorgeous arrangement by Robert Oetemo has everything one could want in a marimba solo: lyricism, range, technique, and lushness. Oetemo uses the full range of the marimba to great success. The arrangement is reminiscent of Frederic Chopin, John Ireland, and Chad Lawson, but Oetemo uses his unique style of blending harmony and melody to create something fresh and meaningful.
  
  A successful performance will require nuance, touch, accuracy, and a high level of musicianship. A good sense of pacing will be key to go from phrase to phrase, and it is a great opportunity to work on roll speed as a phrasing device.
  
  —Joe Millea
Credits +
- Front Cover graphics and layout: Evi O. (www.evi-o.com)
  Photo: James Walker (www.skywalkerstudios.com.au)
  Printed in Copenhagen, Denmark
  Copyright © Edition SVITZER
  www.editionsvitzer.com

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