Work

Programme Note

First performed by Ursula Ryan, Paul Mayhew and Tony Ryan in 1993, this is a group of 7 songs for soprano, french horn and piano which are settings of poems by John Summers. The cycle deals with the poet’s pacifism and the related themes of death and war. The use of the horn is suggestive of the bugle, an instrument traditionally associated with war.

The work was reviewed as follows: “…the poignant, uncompromising statement on the horrors of war… the new work should make its way into the permanent repertoire.” Christchurch Press, May 23 1992

Text Note:

Text by John Summers

Difficulty:

Advanced

Influences:

• Death
• War
• War

Dedication:

To Ursula Ryan and Paul Mayhew for whom it was written