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- for mezzo soprano and chamber ensemble
- By:
- Duration:
- 35' 00"
- Instrumentation:
- clarinet, clarinet/bass-clarinet, violin/viola, cello, percussion (marimba, 9 drums in high to low sequence, drum of fluctuating pitch, bass drum, 5 suspended cymbals, ching - Thai finger cymbals, bell tree, rasp, 2 woodblocks, 3 temple blocks, wood chimes)
Samples
 | Score | No description given | © Gillian Whitehead |
Availability
- This work has 2 scores and 2 recordings
Programme Note
This monodrama for mezzo soprano and chamber sextet, commissioned by Northern Arts UK, tells of the 14th century North of England warrior Henry Percy (Hotspur), seen through the eyes of Elizabeth Mortimer, in a striking ballad sequence written by Fleur Adcock.
Whitehead’s imaginative score combines exotic and arresting instrumental colours, a strong dramatic vocal line (often with flamboyant flourishes) and an admirable overall conception of the mood changes and tonal graduation of the work. (William Dart, NZ Listener)
She has the rare gift of knowing when to us nightmarish vehemences and when to be utterly straightforward and calm. (Roger Covell, Sydney Morning Herald).
Performance History
| 19 Aug 2007 |
Performed by the Auckland Chamber Orchestra, conducted by Peter Scholes |
|
| Auckland Chamber Orchestra |