Scoot
for symphony orchestra

Description

Scoot (2015) – 3333 / 4331 / 1T 2P 1Cel. 1Hp 14.12.10.8.6
Commissioned by the London Symphony Orchestra through the LSO Discovery Panufnik Composers Scheme, supported by the Helen Hamlyn Trust
Completed 10 December 2015 (Manchester)
First performance 11 March 2016 by the London Symphony Orchestra & François-Xavier Roth, LSO St. Luke’s
Recorded by LSO Live on disk Panufnik Legacies III
Dedicated to the London Symphony Orchestra
Duration ca. 4’

Listen: https://open.spotify.com/track/5uUK878od5lfGtQ3UER9q3?si=S0Z2MVvRSe2zGDQ76tUBPw

Full Lineup

Piccolo
2 Flutes
2 Oboes
Cor Anglais
3 Clarinets (1 in Bb, 2 in Eb, 3 in Bb=bass clarinet in Bb)
2 Bassoons
Contrabassoon

4 Horns in F
3 Trumpets
2 Trombones
Bass Trombone
Tuba

Timpani (4 + piccolo)
Percussion (2 players)*
Celesta
Harp

Strings (14.12.10.8.6)

*Percussion List

Player I: Xylophone, Glockenspiel (shared), Triangle, Tom-toms (4), Tambourine
Player II: Temple Blocks, Whip, Tam-tam, Bass Drum, Glockenspiel (shared)

Programme Note

Scoot was inspired by the LSO’s versatile clarinet section who, Bethan says, “have always brought a smile to my face”. It centres on short rising motifs, underpinned by mechanically clacking and chiming percussion and celesta to keep the music grounded. A climax after about two minutes or so changes the mood completely, however, and the rising motifs – which until now had sounded light and innocent – take on a more yearning feel, as though searching for something to complete them. Short but energetic, this piece is packed with incident and humour, including a very brief comic turn for the bassoons and a pair of false endings. Beware!

– Tim Rutherford Johnson