English composer John Woolrich is a relative latecomer to the music world, having first studied English at University before going on to study for a masters in composition with Edward Cowie. He has often said he didn鈥檛 really find his musical voice until he was 28 years old, yet the sound world he creates is instantly recognisable, and his love of literature shapes much of his music; not only through the titles, but through the narratives, the strong rhythmical drive, the winding chorales and wonderful lyricism.
Woolrich is particularly fond of subdued instrumental colours and the sounds of the lower register, so it is no surprise that one of his earliest works, the exquisite Ulysses Awakes, is written for Solo Viola and ten solo strings. In the composers own words 鈥渢his recomposition - a reworking if you like - is of the moment early in Monteverdi鈥檚 opera when Ulysses wakes on the beach. He鈥檚 home after twenty years away, but he doesn鈥檛 know鈥�.
In Ulysses Awakes, premiered by Clare Finnimore and the Guildhall String Ensemble at the 1989 Dartington International Summer School, Woolrich cleverly intensifies Monteverdi鈥檚 original music by removing the resolutions at the end of phrases, meaning passages are often left hanging in the air, which truly reflects John鈥檚 words that this piece is 鈥榓bout expectation without arrival鈥�.
Programme Note 漏 Amy Campbell
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This concert will be available in video format - it will not be possible to have an audience at 大象传媒 Hoddinott Hall
