About the Work
Pacific Odyssey, a composition for wind band, is a musical voyage inspired by the 1520 Magellan-Elcano Expedition. This expedition is known as the first recorded circumnavigation of the globe, as well as being responsible for the naming of the Pacific Ocean (also known as the Sea of Magellan until the 18th Century). Although during the expedition, Ferdinand Magellan’s life was tragically cut short in the Philippines, his vision was continued as Juan Sebastián Elcano and crew pressed onward, eventually finishing the lap, and returning to Spain. Pacific Odyssey aims to depict scenes of the voyage around the world through both calm and treacherous waters with a final triumphant ending depicting the completion of circumnavigating the globe. This work was initially written in 2024, and has since been revised.
About the Composer
Elliot Leahy is an emerging Sydney-based composer currently completing his BMus Composition (Honours) at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music. His compositions tend to be rhythmically driven and playful in nature, with the aim of making it both enjoyable and accessible for performers and audiences. His works have been performed around Australia and internationally, and he has worked with ensembles including the Nexas Quartet, Trio Immersio (Vienna), and Canberra Recorder and Early Music Society (CREMS). Since winning the 2022 Orpheus Music Recorder Composition Competition, Elliot also participated in the 2023 ICEBERG Institute in Vienna, the 2024 Sydney Conservatorium of Music Wind Symphony Reading, and won the 2025 Nexas Quartet’s Call for Scores. When not composing, Elliot enjoys playing French Horn in community ensembles and conducting local school bands. He is represented by Australian Music Centre as an Associate Artist.