Poznań (2011)
clarinet, viola and accordion (7’)

The instrumentation of this piece suggested to me the world of Roma music widespread in Eastern Europe, and the music alludes to a field recording I heard of a gypsy band playing in Poznań, Poland. Each of the live instruments is treated soloistically in succession, starting with the clarinet which has a long, mournful solo with klezmer inflections, then the viola, and finally the accordion before a return to the original figuration. An ominous low C rhythmic pedal regularly intrudes.

Commissioned by the Brighton Soundwaves Festival and first performed at Brighton Town Hall by CHROMA Ensemble on 16th July 2011: Stuart King (clarinet/bass clarinet), David Aspin (viola) and Ian Watson (accordion)