Now here’s a
question: what, in my opinion, is the dullest piece of music ever written?
Here’s a clue: it’s
scored for a wind quintet.
Here’s a second
clue: The Souza Winds are performing an exciting, innovative programme at the
next Late Music concert (Saturday 1st September), but would have
been unable to play this work as the composer is no longer with us.
What I found
striking when trying to programme this concert was how little contemporary
repertoire there is for this ensemble. There are quintets by Arvo Part, Colin Matthews and James
MacMillan (included in the concert), there is Harrison Birtwistle’s striking Refrains & Choruses (not included)
and I’ll bet there will be one by Richard Rodney Bennett…So we decided to create one, and here’s what we came up with -
James Williamson: The Fith Element scored for the oboe
(solo)
James Else: Forgotten Notes scored for flute &
horn (duet)
Steve Crowther: Peter's Star scored for oboe, clarinet
& bassoon (Trio)
Clive Wilkinson: Boats and Sheds scored for flute,
oboe, clarinet & bassoon (quartet)
David Lancaster: Mosquito scored for the complete
ensemble.
We also invited Michael Parkin to think outside of the
box and he came up with arrangements of Pink Floyd's Money and Us and
Them and The Great Gig in the Sky from The Dark Side of the Moon.
Anyway, back to that
dullest of pieces. The first correct comment response will get a free ticket to
the Souza Winds concert paid for by…me.
Steve
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