Happy Birthday Stephen

Pubes On The Soap

Alen Ilijić, 2006
Performed by Neda Hofman @ Belgrade Philharmonic Concert Hall, 2007; Recorded by Srđan Hofman




I have no coordiNATION (piano suite)

Two Roads (in memory of Elliott Schwartz)        for MIDI marimba

Synth SAndy

An investigation into the true nature of sonic things.

Lalaland

(For symphony orchestra)

Winner of the Cardiff University Alumni Composition Competition 2020.

This piece illustrates the cycle of depression and euphoria in a way that highlights the ordinarily trivialised significance of those moments of clarity and harmony we experience in amongst the seemingly endless darkness and turbulence. 

The opening clarinet solo presents all the material upon which this work is based, appearing in both light and dark contexts throughout. Hard-fought moments of sheer euphoria and triumph stand out in bright contrast to the surrounding murky, trudging confusion. As a result, the clarity arising through the unification of the climaxes stands that bit higher above the muddle below. Brief mentions of subdued harmony follow in momentarily peaceful reflection and recovery before the process begins again.

Some threads of melody pierce through the texture and harmony, while others are blurred by rhythmic phasing and delay. However, the melodic material remains, at its core, unchanged throughout, illustrating the way in which our perception of a handful of thoughts can dramatically evolve without apparent cause. Subject entirely to our emotional and environmental state, they may cast a shadow over the light or penetrate through the dark, but the one thing we learn to accept is that they will never settle or resolve. 

While the cycle of depression and euphoria is never-ending, it is forever evolving. In times of joy there will remain the threat of despair, but equally in despair there are always moments of joy. Though our lives may be ruled upon the basis of a small collection of underlying thoughts as defined by our character, our outlooks, our circumstances, they will never reappear in exactly the same way twice. In this way we cannot go backwards or repeat - as the piece intends to illustrate.

Orchestration: 4 flutes (1 piccolo), 4 oboes (1 Cor Anglais), 4 clarinets in Bb (1 bass clarinet), 2 bassons, contrabasson, 4 French horns, 4 trumpets, 2 tenor trombones, bass trombone, tuba, timpani, bass drum, snare drum, tom-toms, wood blocks, strings.

Happy Birthday Stephen

wsdowning

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