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Anthony Ritchie  

The Hanging Bulb

Duration: 12' 00" Year: 1989
for orchestra

• Instrumentation
  (1)2222; 2200; xylo,bs-dr, pf; strs
• Programme Note

  The Hanging Bulb consists of a continuous movement, divided into four sections: slow, fast, slow, fast. Sections 1 and 2 are thematically related, as are sections 3 and 4, so the structure could be described as a double couplet. The work expresses particular emotional and psychological states of mind, encapsulated in the title of the work which is an image of despair. Hanging light bulbs have been associated with despair and obsession in the world of art and in the real world. They became a significant image to the composer at the time of writing this piece, which was not born in happy circumstances.

  Tension in the music is created through extensive use of the octatonic scale, bi-modal effects and thickly layered chords (such as occur near the end). The xylophone and bass drum are used as symbols of cruelty, while the piano has an important ‘personal’ statement in the first section. The last section has an obsessional quality which is expressed through repeated rhythms and motifs.

  A music resource for secondary schools is available for this work from SOUNZ.

• Availability

  • Ritchie A.: The Hanging Bulb; computer-set 

    Full score | Hardcopy - computer set
    
    $29.00
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  • Ritchie A.: The Hanging Bulb; facsimile 

    Full score | Hardcopy - facsimile
    
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  • SOUNZ Orchestral 1993 

    DAT
    
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  • Ritchie A.: The Hanging Bulb 1992 

    Cassette
    
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  • Works for Orchestra: Young, Harris, Blake, Ritchie 

    Cassette
    
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  • Farr and Ritchie: Pembuka'an, The Hanging Bulb 

    Cassette
    
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  • New Zealand Composers  Year: 1995 

    CD
    
    $30.00
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