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Isabel Wood: Ambience

大象传媒 Commission by Senior Winner of 大象传媒 Young Composer 2018

In 2018, Isabel was selected from hundreds of entrants as one of the winners in the Senior category of the annual 大象传媒 Young Composer Competition. As part of her prize she received a 大象传媒 commission to write a new piece to celebrate the 50th anniversary of NASA鈥檚 Apollo 11 Moon landing.

Ambience received its world premiere by Aurora Orchestra, conducted by Duncan Ward, as part of the 大象传媒 Proms Inspire Concert at the 大象传媒鈥檚 Maida Vale Studios on 13 August 2019.

鈥淎mbience considers the paradox between the chaotic, saturated planet we live on and the peace and emptiness of space. Beginning with a slow, blurred melody that expands throughout the piece, Ambience aims to create a sense of alienation yet familiarity, by allowing the melody to warp and develop throughout. While writing the piece, I considered how little we as normal human beings understand the environment in space. I wanted to reflect this in the music by making what appears to be a very diatonic, almost folk-like melody feel distant and alien.鈥

Release date:

Duration:

8 minutes

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