Enraptured
for viola & piano

Description

Enraptured (2015) – for viola & piano. Completed April 2015 (Bleasdale). First performance 31 January 2016 by Paul Silverthorne & Aglaia Tarantino, LSO St. Luke’s. Dedicated to Paul Silverthorne. Duration ca. 8’

Programme Note

This is essentially folky, rustic, cheeky music – energetic and delightful, with a moment’s repose pause about two-thirds of the way through. The instruments both work together and adopt a more conversational role. The piano part combines elements of jazz and quartal harmony.

After initial rapid, ascending blocks of unison material, interspersed with silences – a “call to attention” – the silences become less frequent and the parts separate, creating the first sense of harmony. A second theme begins with a low, quiet, scampering figure in the piano, later joined by a floating viola melody that’s seemingly in a different temporal zone. This melody recurs several times before the music winds down to leave just a solo viola – then silence.

A second, questioning call to attention is heard, with viola and piano re-entering loudly. The viola diverts into a furious jig before a break in activity paves the way for a succession of slow-moving piano chords. The final section reintroduces the second theme in a more conversational style, which leads to plenary-like coda.

– Bethan Morgan-Williams