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Thomas Goss  

A Village Wedding

Duration: 14' 05" Year: 2003
a suite for string orchestra with continuo and solo obbligato in the second movement

  • Programme Note

    A Village Wedding combines two different conceptual approaches; that of the program piece wherein images or activity is described by music; and that of the concerto grosso, a Baroque form which both collectively and individually showcases the players of an ensemble. In the latter case, the piece would seem to fulfill many if not all of the 18th-century requirements. After an overture, movements based on dance rhythms ensue, including the Pavane, March, Gigue, and Rigadoon. Yet the material is cast in a mold that is necessarily programmatic. The Overture, with its opening solemnity, birdsong trills, and developing energy, is intended to describe the bright Sunday morning of a country village, along with the excitement and bustle of wedding preparations. The _Meditation_’s searching cadenza and pensive sweetness exhorts the attendants to send out their blessings to the bride and groom, while the Processional calls the wedding party to the altar. The Dance at the end paints a fiddler’s paradise of flying knees and elbows to jigs and reels as the whole village joins in the revelry.

    The piece is dedicated to the composer’s fiancée Erica, and acknowledges with gratitude and appreciation the dedication and excellence of the members of the YPCO.

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David Hamilton  

Folk Song Suite for Strings

Duration: 07' 00" Year: 2004
for string orchestra

Jonathan Besser  

Ponsonby Road 1

Duration: 04' 00" Year: 2004
for large string orchestra

Thomas Goss  

Uriel's Flame

Duration: 07' 55" Year: 2000, r. 2005
for string orchestra

  • Programme Note

    Uriel is one of the four archangels, along with Michael, Gabriel and Rafael. Each has their particular realm in the human equation: Michael to the ego, Rafael to the emotions, Gabriel to reason. Uriel is somewhat deeper and more mysterious. As the keeper of spiritual fire, he represents the subconscious, and appears to manifest as an unseen and powerful force for change.

    Nowhere is this more apparent than in the Tarot, where each archangel has his seperate card. The visible angels preside in traditional forms. Rafael blesses the Lovers, Gabriel calls the dead to Judgement. Michael calmly masters himself in Temperance, a gentler image than the more common one of spearing a dragon. Uriel alone is unseen; the Tower, with its lightning-struck downfall reveals him only in the rain of yod, a shower of flame from the heavens.

    Yet downfall is necessary for new life. Uriel shatters, suddenly, the illusions and pretensions of majesty in order to clear a path for wisdom. Uriel makes sacrifice possible, and hope for change. Michael balances passions; Uriel breaks them. Rafael sanctifies emotion; Uriel transcends it. Gabriel judges; Uriel forgives utterly, and bids farewell.

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