ORGAN CONCERTINO by Peter Lawson
(Song of the Early Purple Orchid) for organ and orchestra
Goodmusic Concert Originals GMCO137
Catalogue Number: GMCO137
Difficulty level: E What's this?
ISMN: 9790222298873
Orchestration: Solo Organ, 2 Flutes (2nd db Picc), 2 Oboes, 2 Clarinets in Bb, 2 Bassoons, 4 Horns in F, 2 Trumpets in Bb, 3 Trombones, Tuba, Timpani, Percussion ([3] Snare drum, Tam-tam, Cymbals, Tambourine, Castanets, Wood Blocks, Temple Blocks, Glockenspiel, Vibraphone), Harp
Strings (Violin 1, Violin 2, Viola, Cello, Bass)
The Concertino was originally suggested to Nicolas Kynaston as a larger, fully-fledged Concerto back in 1988, after he played Song of the Broad Helleborine in an organ recital at the Royal Festival Hall. The idea was only brought to life 27 years later, when it became a smaller-scale work than originally envisaged, in three short movements, with the soloist having a more concertino-like rather than ‘heroic’ role in its interplay with the orchestra. It is the 31st to be written in a cycle of musical portraits of the 48 wild orchids of Britain and Ireland.
The Early Purple Orchid, referred to by Gertrude in Shakespeare's Hamlet as 'Long Purples', is one of the most widespread and commonly encountered of wild orchids, being recorded in nearly all of the vice counties in Britain and is equally common in Ireland, with millions out in flower in the second half of May on the limestone pavement of the Burren, County Clare. As the name suggests, the orchid is one of the first to flower, in the second half of April in Cornwall to the first half of June in less temperate or more exposed parts of Britain and Ireland, or at higher altitudes. Worldwide, its distribution stretches to North Africa, the Middle East and to most of Russia.
The first movement begins with a march-like idea whose harmonies - as in other orchid portraits - are colour-coded, representing the seven colours present in the orchid: purple, red, pink, white, brown, green and yellowish-gold. This gives way to a calm, chiefly green section, before a scherzando section representing the flecks on the lower labellum ends the short movement. The second movement, The Beechwood, draws on the green idea from the first movement. This is the 'Song' of the orchid, as it were. The third movement, Jig, is intended to reflect the plethora of colour varieties and the spectacular numbers of this orchid in the Burren. Peter Lawson
A PACK includes a full score, string parts 4/4/3/4/2 and all wind, brass and percussion parts plus an organ solo part.
Duration 10 minutes
Strings (Violin 1, Violin 2, Viola, Cello, Bass)
The Concertino was originally suggested to Nicolas Kynaston as a larger, fully-fledged Concerto back in 1988, after he played Song of the Broad Helleborine in an organ recital at the Royal Festival Hall. The idea was only brought to life 27 years later, when it became a smaller-scale work than originally envisaged, in three short movements, with the soloist having a more concertino-like rather than ‘heroic’ role in its interplay with the orchestra. It is the 31st to be written in a cycle of musical portraits of the 48 wild orchids of Britain and Ireland.
The Early Purple Orchid, referred to by Gertrude in Shakespeare's Hamlet as 'Long Purples', is one of the most widespread and commonly encountered of wild orchids, being recorded in nearly all of the vice counties in Britain and is equally common in Ireland, with millions out in flower in the second half of May on the limestone pavement of the Burren, County Clare. As the name suggests, the orchid is one of the first to flower, in the second half of April in Cornwall to the first half of June in less temperate or more exposed parts of Britain and Ireland, or at higher altitudes. Worldwide, its distribution stretches to North Africa, the Middle East and to most of Russia.
The first movement begins with a march-like idea whose harmonies - as in other orchid portraits - are colour-coded, representing the seven colours present in the orchid: purple, red, pink, white, brown, green and yellowish-gold. This gives way to a calm, chiefly green section, before a scherzando section representing the flecks on the lower labellum ends the short movement. The second movement, The Beechwood, draws on the green idea from the first movement. This is the 'Song' of the orchid, as it were. The third movement, Jig, is intended to reflect the plethora of colour varieties and the spectacular numbers of this orchid in the Burren. Peter Lawson
A PACK includes a full score, string parts 4/4/3/4/2 and all wind, brass and percussion parts plus an organ solo part.
Duration 10 minutes
