Strings and Piano Composition Concert

Georgie West almost classical form in the best sense of the word

It is “almost classical form in the best sense of the word”, Debussy said, describing the newly written sonata to his publisher Durand.

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This piece is a reminiscence of Debussy’s Cello Sonata (1915), magnifying and expanding specific moments to allow space for colour (in any sense of the word) to emerge and be investigated further.

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Tayla-Leigh Payne Sonnenstand

Sonnenstand (‘Positions of the Sun’) draws inspiration from a series of images by Ursula Schulz-Dornburg which evokes the position of the sun and the essence of light and darkness captured by a beam of light through the windows of a medieval hermitage.

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Similar to Schulz-Dornburg, this piece explores the spiritual imagery and energy of light and darkness. This is particularly embodied within the harmonic language of the piece, where the tonalities explore these varying moods and blended qualities. Throughout a reoccurring singular note is exchanged between the cello and piano until one final iteration at the end, drawing our attention to the focal point of Ursula Schulz-Dornburg’s images, the beam of light.

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Eluned Davies Little Pictures

“Surely he would, just sometimes, let me draw and engrave a little tailpiece for him. I wouldn’t want to be known, I wouldn’t sign it. Only just to be allowed to invent a little picture sometimes.”

– Gwen Raverat (wood engraving artist), 1952

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Yotham Ben Yami Ronda Rondo

Ronda Rondo translates from Hungarian to Ugly Rondo. This refers not necessarily to the quality of the sounds but rather to the juggled handling of the form – a dramatic piece of abstract storytelling.

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Antoine Veillerette Sonatas

The title Sonatas refers not to the classical sonata form, but rather to the juxtaposition and dialogue between differing musical materials. Throughout the movements of the work, various aspects of the relationship between the cello and piano are constantly varied, ranging from cooperative to adversarial.