for solo piano and chamber orchestra (2011)
2(fl.2 dbl. picc.).2.2.2 / 2.2.0.0 / timp. / 6.6.4.4.2
Duration: 17'
Commissioned by Liverpool Mozart Orchestra in its Diamond Jubilee Year with support from the PRS for Music Foundation
World première: Alexandra Dariescu (piano) / Liverpool Mozart Orchestra / cond. Mark Heron, Pacific Road Venue, Birkenhead, UK, 8th October 2011
Winner of the Making Music British Composer Award 2012
DETAILSProgramme Note
Mesmerism for piano and chamber orchestra is one in a series of works inspired by mathematician Ada Lovelace ...
Mesmerism for piano and chamber orchestra is one
in a series of
works inspired by
mathematician Ada Lovelace (these include a dramatic vocal work Ada sketches and
Calculus of the Nervous System for symphony orchestra). Lovelace dabbled with
mesmerism, a forerunner of hypnosis developed by physician Franz Mesmer.
Mesmerism is in one continuous movement and lasts approximately 17
minutes.
Throughout, I have imagined that the relationship of soloist to orchestra is
mesmeric: the work is concerned with the piano ‘mesmerising’ the orchestra.
Emily Howard © 2011
Reviews
"In this piece the composer stretches the ability of amateur musicians without over-taxing them: the thoroughly imaginative contemporary sound-world is for once eminently realisable by non-professionals. The harmonic language of the music is lucid and beautiful, sustaining at the heart of the piece a great sense of stillness. This is an original voice."