Haunted Hills
Margaret Sutherland (arr. John Ivor Holland)
Subtitle: Symphonic Poem
General Info
Year: 1950 / 2018
Duration: c. 6:30
Difficulty: V (see Ratings for explanation)
Original Medium: Orchestra
Publisher: Sheet Music Direct
Cost: Score and Parts (print) - $99.99
Instrumentation
- Full Score
- C Piccolo
- Flute I-II
- Oboe
- English Horn
- Bassoon I-II
- Contra-Bassoon
- E-flat Soprano Clarinet
- B-flat Soprano Clarinet I-II-III
- E-flat Alto Clarinet
- B-flat Bass Clarinet
- B-flat Contrabass Clarinet
- B-flat Soprano Saxophone
- E-flat Alto Saxophone I-II
- B-flat Tenor Saxophone
- E-flat Baritone Saxophone
- B-flat Trumpet I-II-III
- Horn in F I-II-III-IV
- Trombone I-II
- Bass Trombone
- Euphonium
- Tuba
- Contra-Bass
- Harp
- Celesta
- Timpani
- Percussion I-II-III, including (probably incomplete):
- *Bass Drum
- *Glockenspiel
- *Suspended Cymbal
Errata
None discovered thus far.
Program Notes
Margaret Sutherland was inspired by the establishment of state orchestras around Australia to return to composing symphonic works, preferring the 'symphonic poem' format of Haunted Hills to actual symphonies. The "haunted hills" of the title are the Dandenong Ranges, lying on the eastern outskirts of Melbourne. The intention was to create "a sound picture written in contemplation of the first people who roamed the hills, their bewilderment and their betrayal." Mountains were considered to be the home of ancient spirits by the traditional owners of the area, the Wurundjeri- Woi Wurrung and Bunurong people of the Kulin Nation; however, white settlement and clearance of the fertile lands at the foot of the mountains forced them to seek sanctuary in the more densely forested slopes.
- Program Note from University of Georgia Wind Symphony concert program, 29 October 2025
Composed in 1950 and popularised by the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra, this evocative work is a testament to the achievement of Margaret Sutherland's creative output. The programme notes, taken from the Australian Music Centre website, are fairly simple: "A sound picture written in contemplation of the first people who roamed the hills, their bewilderment and their betrayal, frenzied dance: its seeming gaiety born of despair."
The work was arranged as part of a project to bring more music by women into the worldwide band repertoire.
- Program Note by arranger
Media
State Ratings
None discovered thus far.
Performances
To submit a performance please join The Wind Repertory Project
- University of Georgia (Athens) Hodgson Wind Symphony (Tracy Videon, conductor) - 29 October 2025
Works for Winds by This Composer
- Haunted Hills (arr. Holland) (1950/2018)
Resources
- " Haunted hills : symphonic poem." Australian Music Centre. Accessed 29 October 2025