Stick and Stones (2019)
Flute, Oboe, Trumpet, Violin, Cello, Piano, 2 Bassoons and 2 Percussion
For many years I have been interested in certain harmonic progressions. Having listened to plenty of music from the common-practice period, I have worked out that much of the harmonic language used there essentially boils down to two particularly interesting types: a rise from and back to the tonic, and a cycle, usually in fifths. I then visualised these harmonic shapes and came up with a stroke (I) and circle (O) respectively. These symbols provide various templates for the harmonic backbone of this piece. The title then comes in to describe certain natural objects based in these shapes.
There is also a sense of conflict in the title, seeming to suggest the phrase ‘Sticks and stones / will break my bones’, and so I decided to incorporate that element into the music.
In short, this piece can be described as a melee between various musical ideas, that is generally loud, brutal and merciless, with some ironic allusions to the baroque!
PERFORMANCES
Première: 1 November 2019 - The Lemon Tree, Aberdeen - Any Enemy (dir. Pete Stollery)