Work
Knot
for bass clarinet and cello
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About
This miniature was written in 1996 as a wedding present for its dedicatees: bass clarinettist Andrew Uren and cellist Katherine Hebley. One source of the title, reflected in the music, is a line from John Donne’s poem The Extasie (1633), which—on one level—depicts two lovers physically and spiritually entwined.
As our blood labours to beget
Spirits, as like soules as it can,
Because such fingers need to knit
That subtile knot, which makes us man:
So must pure lovers soules descend
T'affections, and to faculties,
Which sense may reach and apprehend,
Else a great Prince in prison lies.
Dedication note
for Andrew and Katherine
Performance history
26 Jul 1997: Performed by Andrew Uren (bass clarinet) and Katherine Hebley (cello) of 175 East, at Artspace, Auckland
11 May 1999: Performed by Andrew Uren (bass clarinet) and Katherine Hebley (cello)
11 Aug 2010: Waikato University Lunchtime Series
Performed by Andrew Uren (bass clarinet) and Katherine Hebley (cello)