2.picc.2.corA.2.Ebcl.bcl.ssax.asax.tsax.barsax.2.dbn-4.3.2crt.3.euphonium.1-perc(4)
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Boosey & Hawkes
Waves and Refrains was commissioned by Timothy and Hilary Reynish in memory of their son William, who died in the Pyrenees in May 2001.
Around fifteen minutes long, the musical ideas in the piece grow out of the perfect fifths heard at the opening, creating to my mind a kind of virtuosic tone-poem. The various groupings also suggest a 'concerto' for the ensemble. There are two different 'refrains' at play, the most obvious being the declamatory series of chords heard in the percussion. Only using tuned percussion throughout, the section is removed on a musical level from the rest of the ensemble.
These interjections occur at regular moments in the piece, and catalyse various shifts in mood. The second refrain is a single melodic line, usually performed by heterogeneous duos in unison, and unaccompanied. Around these refrains, the music surges constantly, the nature of its ebb and flow suggesting the 'waves' referred to in the title.
David Horne
Reproduction Rights
This programme note can be reproduced free of charge in concert programmes with a credit to the composer