Études I-IV

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