This Prelude reworks part of a beautiful 17th century suite for solo bass viol by Monsieur de Sainte Colombe le fils. The sparser lines of the solo viol are refracted into a deep, rich ensemble of five low string instruments – implied harmonies made audible, new ones added, everything getting generally thicker and creamier.

I’ve also written in a lot of decoration and rhythmic freedom – trying to capture some of the liquid freedom that can lift music of this period off the page.

Instrumentation:

2 violas, 2 cellos & double bass (or can be performed by a string orchestra without violins)

Duration:

7 mins

Commission:

Commissioned by Musikdorf Ernen

Score and Parts:

For hire of performance materials, please contact promotion@fabermusic.com

Performances:

25 Feb 2025

12 Ensemble

Wigmore Hall, London, UK

UK premiere

4 May 2024

Richard Tognetti – Australian Chamber Orchestra

TarraWarra Museum of Art, Healesville, Australia

Australian premiere

8 Aug 2022

Alinka Rowe, Alessandro D’Amico, Chiara Enderle Samatanga, Nadja Reich & Jordi Carrasco Hjelm

Kircher Ernen, Musikdorf Ernen, Switzerland

 World premiere