This piece is based on Vanessa Bell's painting of Studland Beach.  One solo instrument (in this case the viola) depicts the mysterious standing figure. The music of the ensemble passages draws on other qualities of the painting: its bold composition; its use of colour; the beach as the setting and the feeling of unease. The piece aims  to capture the sense of a narrative that remains elusive.
As well as the solo line and the four-part accompanying group, the composer makes use of other sound materials that evoke aspects of nature related to the seashore. The clicking of pebbles, the shifting of shingle (mimicked by egg-shakers) and the lapping of water are all used as musical elements in this impressionistic piece.

Duration about 8 minutes

Performed by CoMA Sussex, Conductor Adam Swayne, Solo Viola Patrick Harrex.
Part of the concert 'Natural and Supernatural'.
St.John Sub Castro Church, Lewes. 
14 April 2013.
Mechanical copyright of the recording (c) CoMA Sussex

'Studland Beach' by Howard Cheesman

Naomi Pinnock   ~   Four Humours
Choleric–  Melancholia –  Phlegmatic –  Sanguine

From Hippocrates onward the ‘humoral theory’ was the most commonly held view of the nature of the human body, among physicians in many cultures.  This lasted until the advent of modern medical research in the nineteenth century.  The ‘four humours’ of Hippocratic medicine are fluid secretions that correspond to the traditional four basic elements or ‘four temperaments’. They are: yellow bile (Dry and Hot / Fire / Choleric - easily angered, bad tempered); black bile (Dry and Cold / Earth / Melancholic - despondent, sleepless, irritable); phlegm (Wet and Cold / Water / Phlegmatic -  calm, unemotional); and blood  (Wet and Hot / Air / Sanguine - courageous, hopeful, amorous).
Naomi Pinnock’s ‘Four Humours’ are four distinctive instrumental miniatures.  
~	 ‘Choleric’ is intense and fiery - the ensemble is split into two groups which are pitted against one another.
~	The idea behind ‘Melancholia’ is one of repetition with little change. The piano continuously repeats the same phrase and the ensemble creates a languorously shifting background. On top is a solo line, wistfully repeating motifs. 
~	‘Phlegmatic’ uses heavy sighs and lazy phrases.
~	‘Sanguine’ explores a conflict of opposing forces which are only united at the very end.
‘Four Humours’ was composed in 2003 and first performed at the Spitalfields Festival, by the CoMA London Ensemble.

Duration about 10 minutes

Performed by CoMA Sussex, Conductor Adam Swayne.
Part of the concert 'Natural and Supernatural'.
St.John Sub Castro Church, Lewes.
14 April 2013.
Mechanical copyright of the recording (c) CoMA Sussex

'FourHumours' by Naomi Pinnock

Ken Edwards   ~   Molecule III

‘Molecule III’ for small ensemble is an open-form work consisting of seven fragments of musical material. One is a static chord which waxes and wanes in volume, and which the composer says “is always to be returned to”.  So this chord functions almost like a central nucleus around which the other material orbits freely. Five other fragments each have their own characteristic rhythmic patterns and melodic shapes, though the actual pitches are chosen by each performer individually. One fragment is completely free for the performers to improvise.

Duration about 7 minutes

Performed by CoMA Sussex, Conductor Adam Swayne.
Part of the concert 'Natural and Supernatural'.
St.John Sub Castro Church, Lewes.
14 April 2013.

Image copyright (c) www.123rf.com 123RF Stock Photos
Mechanical copyright of the recording (c) CoMA Sussex

'Molecule III' by Ken Edwards

'Sirens' was a CoMA commission, first performed at the CoMA Summer School 2006.  Its gently shifting harmonies convey a tranquil yet sometimes oddly disturbing mood, perhaps suggesting the bewitched, trance-like state of mind of those seafarers who were lured to their doom by the Sirens' song.
This performance conducted by Adam Swayne was given at the Brighton Springboard Festival, 23 March 2013.

Recorded by Luke Ellis

Image copyright (c) www.123rf.com Stock Photos
Mechanical copyright of the recording (c) Luke Ellis for Springboard and CoMA Sussex

'Sirens' by Howard Skempton

First Performance, CoMA Sussex 10th Anniversary Concert. June 28th 2015. Lee Westwood is the narrator.

'Postlude' by Howard Cheesman

CoMA Sussex's performance at the 21st Anniversary Celebrations of CoMA in St John's Smith Square, October 25th 2014

'The Illusion Of Progress' by Howard Jones

CoMA Sussex's performance of our founder's composition, especially written for the 21st anniversary celebrations of CoMA, October 25th 2014.

'Fanfare In 3 Parts' by Patrick Harrex

Amoret's Concerto, performed by Angie Wilson (Cello) and CoMA Sussex at the 21st Anniversary celebrations of CoMA, October 25th 2014.

'When' by Amoret Abis

Performed in St Paul's Worthing, November 2010

CoMASussex

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