Programme Notes
Shadowplay takes its title, like so many of my pieces, from other sources (in this case a song by the band Joy
Division) but is a purely abstract piece of music to which no ‘programme’ can be attached. The title does
however refer to the roles of certain instruments (bass clarinet being the most prominent) of the orchestra which
‘shadow’ or follow closely the lines of the solo cello.
As one would expect, the piece is a reflection of some of my musical influences (Stravinsky, Tippett and Reich
for instance) which were on the whole unfamiliar to Thomas Carroll, the soloist. So the piece could be viewed as
an introduction and exploration for Thomas into my musical landscape. The piece is in no way a flamboyant
concerto for the soloist or orchestra, but the difficulty lies in the interaction, in particular rhythmic, between the
two. Being scored for relatively small forces some of the writing, in particular the opening of the first and second
movements, are quite intimate as the soloist interacts with chamber-like groups within the orchestra.
Key Performances
World Premiere
UK 12.04.03
Venue: Royal Concert Hall, Nottingham,
Performance - The Lichfield Festival 2003
12.07.03
Venue: Lichfield Cathedral, Lichfield, UK
Performance
24.11.06
Venue: Queen Elizabeth Hall, London, UK