Études 1 & 2 (2010)
1 – Glissandi – upwards, downwards and in contrary motion – evoke the sounds of jet engines, formula one cars and Jimi Hendrix’s performance of ‘Star Spangled Banner’.
2 – A cycle of quavers played pizzicato has its timings twisted and bent out of shape to become stuttering, rushed and erratic.
Études 3 & 4 (2014)
3 – This étude is obsessive, strident and dissonant – as loud, accented notes gradually become infected by chains of semiquavers.
4 – The most unusual of the four études – using a novel technique, the violinist sustains hushed three-note chords in a serene and meditative atmosphere.
Instrumentation:
solo violin
Duration:
8 mins
Commission:
Études 1 & 2 written for Sarah Hill. Études 3 & 4 commissioned by London Sinfonietta
Performances:
25 Mar 2022
Fenella Humphreys
‘Caprices’ album launch, Escape Arts Centre, Tonbridge, UK (No. 1 only)
10 Jun 2020
Jonathan Morton
London Sinfonietta livestream
19 Nov 2020
Yoon Jin Kim
Recital Hall, Seoul Arts Centre, South Korea
South Korean premiere
3 Nov 2019
Fenella Humphreys
Clapham Omnibus Theatre, London, UK
12 May 2019
Daniel Pioro
Greene Room at King’s Arms, Berkhamstead, UK
24 April 2019
Daniel Pioro
Trinity College Cambridge, UK
12 Jan 2018
Lost Dog New Music Ensemble
Tenri Cultural Institute, New York NY, USA
USA premiere of Études 2-4
24 July 2016
Daniel Pioro
The Chapel, Norwich, UK
9 February 2016
Jonathan Morton
London Sinfonietta Concert, Southwark Playhouse, London, UK (Études 3-4 only)
14 June 2015
Jonathan Morton
Aldeburgh Festival lunch, UK (Études 3-4 only)
23 July 2014
Jonathan Morton
London Sinfonietta ‘World Premiere Wednesdays’, King’s Place, London, UK (Nos. 3-4 only)
World premiere of Études 3-4
13 April 2013
Tom Norris
LSO Aftershock, Barbican Centre Foyer, London, UK (Nos. 1-2 only)
3 November 2011
Daniel Mihai
Vox Novus Tour, George Enescu University of Music, Bucharest, Romania (Nos. 1-2 only)
1 November 2011
Daniel Mihai
Vox Novus Tour, National College of Art ‘Regina Maria’, Constanta, Romania (Nos. 1-2 only)
Romanian premiere
15 May 2011
Conway Kuo
Jan Hus Church, New York NY, USA (Nos. 1-2 only)
Romanian premiere
4 June 2010
Sarah Hill
Cosmo Rodewald Hall, Manchester, UK (Nos. 1-2 only)
19 March 2010
Sarah Hill
Cosmo Rodewald Hall, Manchester, UK
World premiere