Contemporary Classical

Spaces, for an ensemble of eight performers, was written for the University of York Chimera Undergraduate commision and performed on the 18th November 2016 by the Chimera ensemble.

Performers
Conductor- Thomas Hawkes
Soprano- Bethany Stephens
Mezzo Soprano- Helen Hughson
Clarinet- Josh Porter
Viola- James McIlwrath
Double Bass - Adam Thomas
Trombone- Oliver Pickup 
Piano 1 - Tomás Frazer
Piano 2- Anson Ng

Space
No center, no above, no below
Ceaselessly devouring and engendering itself
Whirlpool space
And drop into height
Spaces
Clarities steeply cut
Suspended
By the night's flank
Black gardens of rock crystal
Flowering on a rod of smoke
White gardens exploding in the air
Space
One space opening up
Corolla
And dissolving
Space in space
All is nowhere
Place of impalpable nuptials

(Octavio Paz)

 Derived from the text by Octavio Paz the work quite literally explores ‘space’. Manipulating textures in the way material is passed between instruments to create an illusion of movement within the environment. The meaning of the text is not so much reflected in the music but more the fractured surrealist state of the poem. As critic Ramón Xirau once described the aesthetic of Octavio Paz’ poetry as ‘not hesitat(ing) between language and silence;…’ but leading ‘..into the realm of silence where true language lives.’ This silence is a salient feature that is exploited frequently, breaking apart often very dense complex textures, fragmenting passages and emphasises the silence that fills the room, allowing the audience to almost be absorbed into what is happening next. Exploring the idea that silence can be ‘noisy’.

Spaces (2016)

Relentless Performed by the Chimera Ensemble 2016

Piano- Sophie Adams

Relentless (2016)

Work for string quartet performed in an informal concert on the 28th of February 2017 by the Ligeti Quartet.

Territory] Boundary/ \ Border [Divide  (2017)

From the Greek meaning to lament/wailing, Thrínos is solo work for violin. It exploits the expressive power of the violin, distorting the melodic material.

Thrínos was performed on the 3rd of March by Emily Jones

Artwork is by Felice Sharp entitled Blue Morning IV, to see more  of her works go to http://www.felicesharpart.com/

θρήνος (Thrínos) - 2016

Doilbhcheo written for an ensemble of seven is derived from celtic meaning mist, is a work that explores texture immersed in ambiguity.

Conductor-Owen Burton
Violin I - Ella Coen
Violin II - Miranda Whitmarsh
Flute - Anna Palko 
Double Bass - Adam Thomas
Piano - Tom Sissons
Percusion - James Botcher and Andy Blackwell

Doilbhcheo (2017)

Work Sets You Free? : Ode to Capitalist Pigs Oink Oink
For JVLMA Ensemble at the Crossroads International Contemporary Music Festival (Salzburg 2017)

Viola - Pēteris Trasuns
Clarinet - Guntis Kuzma 
Alto Sax - Arvydas Kazlauskas
Double Bass - Viktors Stankevičs

Work Sets You Free, is a work for Clarinet, Alto Sax, Viola and Double Bass. Written as a commentary on my own increasing concerns regarding the leaning of western capitalism towards fascism, most particularly in the US and UK. Conservative governments are for-fronted by leaders, who through deception and power manipulate democracy to reflect their own desires.  Capitalism is driven by the ideology that you get what you work for, the harder you work the more you’ll receive. But as it is, these establishments are becoming increasingly more corrupt, using the ‘American dream’ work ethic to fuel the one per cent and exclude the minorities. Using the idea of poor work ethic as a way to condemn those who do not fit into their own ideas, justifying xenophobia, anti-Semitism and homophobia. The power that these individuals have is incredibly concerning, frighteningly mirroring 1930’s Germany, targeting the vulnerable members of the country to fuel the parties’ own agendas. You only have to look at Trump and the wall he wants to build between America and Mexico to see the divide he is creating, not only socially but physically. 

“When Mexico sends its people, they’re not sending the best. They’re not sending you, they’re sending people that have lots of problems and they’re bringing those problems with us. They’re bringing drugs. They’re bring crime. They’re rapists… And some, I assume, are good people.” (Donald Trump)

In light of this, Work Sets You Free explores this extra musical content by the use of pervasive driving rhythmic material that incessantly pulses with little direction. The use of folk idiom in contrast to aggressive material acts as a metaphor to freedom, this is further elaborated on by the satirical use of almost nationalistic sounding material in a comical manner. Once again referring to the parody I am suggesting on the level of freedom these ‘democratic’ countries have.

Work Sets You Free? : Ode to Capitalist Pigs Oink Oink - (2017)

Composer currently studying at the University of York.

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/catherinerobsoncomposer/
Website - http://www.catherinerobsoncomposer.co.uk/

Work Sets You Free? : Ode to Capitalist Pigs Oink Oink - (2017)

Catherine Robson