Commissioned by cellist Benedict Kloeckner as a companion-piece to the great Quintet 'Die Forelle' by Schubert and having the same instrumentation, with the addition of an optional part for soprano voice
Based on the music composed for the Royal Shakespeare Company's feature film production of the play 1995. See also opus 656.
Written also as a celebration of the anniversary of Shakespeare's death in 1616
10th December 2019 - 12th December 2019 |
Benedict Kloeckner, Howard Blake (others tba), Leipzig
A second album of cello-based chamber music to follow up on the succesful 'Diversions' CD of 2015 |
2nd October 2016 - 3rd October 2016 |
Nicolas Dautricourt(violin), Lech Uszynsky (viola), Benedict Kloeckner (cello), Edicson Ruiz (double-bass), Howard Blake (piano), Sophie Witte (solo soprano), Internationales Musikfestival Koblenz
Sunday 2nd October, 21.00 pm - late-evening concert [Notes by the composer] 'SLEEPWALKING' A work for soprano, cello and piano The work's title is also the title of this late-night concert -'Sleepwalking', the European premiere of a work for soprano vocalise, solo cello and piano. It conjures up the world of dreams, evoking the surreal landscape of the unconscious through which a woman walks, singing wordlessly with closed eyes like a painting by Fuseli or Delvaux. As it begins she lies in a deep untroubled sleep (Tranquillo). Images of childhood (Allegretto) give way to memories of a great occasion -perhaps a marriage? (Maestoso). A crazily-animated helter-skelter of notes suggests laughter and gaiety, yet with fears and dangers (Vivace). There is a memory of tragic , yearning love (Adagio) but the memory is broken by nightmare images of vengeance and death (Allegro Furioso). There is a waking moment, then a return to sleep (Tranquillo). Monday 3rd October 5.00pm - Farewell concert PIANO QUINTET Fantasy for Piano Quintet and soprano The world-premiere performance of a new Piano Quintet, for violin, viola, cello, double-bass and piano with solo soprano, commissioned by The International Music Festival Koblenz as a companion-piece to the great Quintet 'Die Forelle' by Schubert and having the same instrumentation. The material is adapted from the music for 'A Midsummer Night's Dream' originally composed by Howard Blake for the Royal Shakespeare Company's feature-film of Shakespeare's play (1995) and this performance also celebrates the 400th anniversary of the Bard (1616-2016) It is in 13 linked movements:
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