Thursday 18th August, 20.40
CHROMA
The North Wind Was A Woman
&
Dhyana
CHROMA
conducted by Christopher Austin
soprano Sabhdh Dennedy
flutes – Sarah O’Flynn
clarinets – Stuart King, Massimo di Trolio
harp – Helen Sharp
oboe – Owen Dennis
mandolin – Avi Avital
percussion – Steve Gibson
violin (leader) – Alex Wood
violin – Anna Biggin
viola – Carmen Flors
cello – Clare O’Connell
bass – Elena Hull
The North Wind Was A Woman
Music: David Bruce
Words: David Bruce & Alasdair Middleton
EU Premiere
Commissioned by the Chamber Music Society of the Lincoln Center – world premiere by Dawn Upshaw, Chamber Music Society of the Lincoln Center, Alice Tully Hall, Sept 23rd, 2009
Dhyana
Music: Marcus Barcham-Stevens
Words: translations by Herbert Giles
CHROMA commission, world premiere
This new work is based on 5 medieval (8th-11thC) Chinese texts, in an old English translation, taking the idea from Mahler’s Das Lied von der Erde setting of translations of Chinese poetry after Hans Bethge’s Die Chinesieche Floete. Mahler sets poems by the 8th century Chinese poet Li Bai (or alternatively called Li Po), and one of my five poems is also by Li Bai. Whereas Mahler’s piece is more about earthly subjects, my piece, though also embracing nature and descriptions of nature (similar to the last song in the Mahler – The Farewell), is more spiritual.
The title Dhyana refers to a state of Buddhist meditation, although the work is not specifically Buddhist (the last poem by Chi Po from the 8th or 9th century has more of a Christian implication). The inner world could be the essence of most spiritual experiences at the heart of many religions. There are simple, harmonious, beautiful descriptions of nature too.
I took the initial idea from writing an hommage to Mahler’s Das Lied von der Erde in the sense of going to the root source of medieval Chinese poetry, and then inspired by the Buddhist/Neo-Confucian/nature poetry, expanded the piece into its own, making it more timeless and universal.
Marcus Barcham-Stevens, April 2011
www.chromaensemble.co.uk
www.davidbruce.net
www.marcusbarchamstevens.co.uk
The North Wind was a Woman – EU Premiere
Music David Bruce,
Words: David Bruce & Alasdair Middleton
Dhyana – World Premiere
Music: Marcus Barcham-Stevens
Words: translations by Herbert Giles
Conductor: Christopher Austin
Soprano: Sadhbh Dennedy
with guest artist Avi Avital on mandolin
CHROMA
conducted by Christopher Austin
soprano Sabhdh Dennedy
flutes – Sarah O’Flynn
clarinets – Stuart King, Massimo di Trolio
harp – Helen Sharp
oboe – Owen Dennis
mandolin – Avi Avital
percussion – Steve Gibson
violin (leader) – Alex Wood
violin – Anna Biggin
viola – Carmen Flors
cello – Clare O’Connell
bass – Elena Hull
CHROMA has been Associate Ensemble for Tête à Tête since 2006, and has been involved in developing new works through each annual edition of Tte Tte: The Opera Festival. Founded in 1997, the ensemble is most closely associated with contemporary music, with a diverse participation programme and collaborations involving different art forms. It has close links with many British composers, performing companies and conservatoires through various premieres and collaborations. More information at www.chromaensemble.co.uk
CHROMA gratefully acknowledges support for this project from the PRS for Music Foundation, the RVW Trust and the Holst Foundation.