They Became Stars [from 'Stars and their Consolations', 2021]

The Middle Of Nowhere [from 'Cynefin', 2020]

Reminiscence [SSAATTBB Choir]

Saved From Fire [from 'Stars and their Consolations', 2021]

‘Creatures of Dust and Dreams’ is a playful, exuberant piece, opening with spinning, whirling figures throughout the orchestra, with microtonality featuring throughout. The use of quarter-tones creates a forced brightness during the opening section, and a descent to - subsequently - a darker, warmer yet mysterious tone within in the middle section. The initial idea for this piece can be found in the middle section. There are certain multiphonics played on the clarinet (where two or more notes sound from using non- standard ways of playing). Chords in the strings emerge cloud-like from these multiphonics. To either side of this section, the musical material whirls, building and collapsing in on itself.

The work reflects on our inevitable human frailty and vulnerability, of falling and failing, and the choice to reach out and not only seek help from - but also offer help to - those around us in order to grow and achieve more together than we could have achieved individually. For a piece whose idea - and indeed title - was imagined in Spring 2019, with the initial sketching of ideas and structure taking place well prior to a world-wide pandemic, the title remains apt particularly in light of what we have collectively experienced over the last few years.

In the initial sketches for the piece I had written the following lines:
“...but if I must first fall, then let me do so gently; my bones are fragile, for we are made only of dust and dreams.”

‘Creatures of Dust and Dreams’ was commissioned by BBC Radio 3, and first performed by the BBC National Orchestra of Wales, conducted by Finnegan Downie Dear at the BBC Hoddinott Hall, Cardiff on 10 December 2021.

Creatures Of Dust And Dreams [extract]

Performed by Sarah Maria Sun and Johannes Fischer, at the Heidelberg Music Festival, 9th April 2017.

'I dared say it to the sky' sets three poems from Das Knaben Wunderhorn (collected by Clemens Brentano and Achim von Arnim), exploring the theme of the natural world and a person's need for solitude.

I dared say it to the sky [Soprano & Percussion - excerpts]

The title of the piece is taken from a poem by Zen Master Ryokan:

Falling blossoms. 
Blossoms in bloom are also 
falling blossoms.

Ryokan’s poem explores the idea that flourishing is no different to withering, reflecting that each being on earth has a finite and fragile existence, but filled with much beauty. The natural decay of the singing bowl pitches creates a meditative atmosphere from which the stringed instruments’ material both appear and unravel, the notes of the percussion lingering longer than those of the strings. Through the small, repetitive and slowly spiralling gestures, the music invites the audience to be still and listen to their own space within the wider world.

'Blossoms in bloom are also falling blossoms' was commissioned by Sound and Music through their 'Embedded: Composers' Kitchen' Scheme with Quatuor Bozzini and soundfestival Scotland.  After an initial public presentation of work-in-progress in Montreal in April 2017, the full work was premiered at King's College Chapel, Aberdeen on 26 October 2017, during soundfestival 2017.

Blossoms in bloom are also falling blossoms  [String Quartet]

Written for The Cardinall's Musick during the St Magnus Composers' Course 2012, Kýrie Eléison is the opening to a larger Mass setting for unaccompanied choir. The piece focusses on the words, and the intentions behind the words, rather than disguising them with melismatic musical phrases.  By doing so, the piece is bold, simple yet beautiful, allowing the sustained dissonances and brief ￼resolutions to carry the emotion of the work.

It is sung by the Cardinall's Musick during a workshop in the St Magnus Composers' Course 2012

Kyrie Eleison  [SATB Choir]

"first snow 
falling
    on the half-finished bridge."
        - Matsuo Basho

when I was small I
counted seconds all the time 
now I’ve stopped
        - anon (@cancerhaikus, Twitter)

Time is a peculiar thing. It feels as if it goes by as slowly as possible when we need it to go by the fastest, and at the times we need to cling on to every remaining second, it slips like grains of fine sand through our hands. This piece was written, following on from a theme in my previous string quartet, Blossoms in bloom are also falling blossoms, reflecting on fragility, and how our perceptions of time change depending on our unique circumstances.

CeNM@S Ligeti Workshop 2018

first snow, falling  [String Quartet]

mind the gap [Sinfonietta Ensemble]

High/Low

Created using stems and samples provided by the BBC National Orchestra of Wales, through their #BeethovenRemixed project.

Allegro Con Molta Elettronica (#BeethovenRemixed)

Sarah Lianne Lewis is a Welsh composer based in the Vale of Glamorgan.  Her music has been performed by ensembles such as the BBC National Orchestra of Wales, Gemini, and PianoCircus, and been featured in the Aix-en-Provence Festival, Bangor Music Festival, St David's Cathedral Festival, Heidelberg Music Festival, among others.  

Sarah Lianne Lewis

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