Peter Lawson
SYMPHONY No.2 'Warnings' for orchestra
Goodmusic Concert Originals GMCO217
Catalogue Number: GMCO217
Difficulty level: F What's this?
ISMN: 9790222332591
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Orchestration: 2 Flutes (2nd db.Piccolo), 2 Oboes, 2 Clarinets in Bb, 2 Bassoons, 4 Horns in F, 2 Trumpets in Bb, 3 Trombones, Tuba
Timpani, Percussion (4 players: Triangle, Tambourine, Cymbals (clashed), Temple Blocks, Castanets, Snare Drum, Tam-tam, Bass Drum, Glockenspiel, Xylophone, Vibraphone)], Harp
Strings (Violin 1, Violin 2, Viola, Cello, Bass)
The idea of writing this symphony originated from my ambition, for many years, to orchestrate my piece for two pianos, Song of the Late Spider Orchid, the tenth to be written in a series of portraits of the 48 wild orchids of Britain and Ireland. I planned for it to be the first movement of a symphony with climate warnings from scientists and increasingly tortuous weather events, which, if not properly dealt with would ultimately result in many of these often-rare orchids becoming extinct, along with many other plant species and forms of wildlife.
The first movement begins with a sequence of chords representing the colours of the orchid: brown, gold, pink and green - a rhythm without a melody. Later, we hear the ‘song’ of the orchid itself - a melody with rich harmonies, but lacking rhythmic variety. In the final section, the two elements are ultimately fused: the melody and harmony overlaid on the rhythmic shape of the opening.
The short second movement is a sort of epilogue to the first - sad and elegiac, a gentle warning to suggest the orchid having been wiped out by human over-population and industrial endeavours.
The third movement borrows heavily from the Song of the Common Spotted Orchid, originally for String Quartet, depicting the subspecies okellyi found in the glorious limestone pavements of the Burren, Co Clare, Ireland. The movement is jig-like, but in this version carries a warning disguised as an Irish air, as a new middle section. The air is once again, sad and mournful.
The final movement starts with a short, somewhat firm warning, one of three such warnings, each one longer and increasingly terrifying, punctuated with partially dystopian visions. After the third warning, genuine plans for dealing with the obvious deterioration of our planet, are drawn up. The music becomes excruciatingly aware that it is gradually getting too late to ignore the impending doom. Peter Lawson
A PACK includes a full score plus a full set of wind, brass and percussion parts plus strings 4/4/3/4/2.
Duration 31 minutes
Timpani, Percussion (4 players: Triangle, Tambourine, Cymbals (clashed), Temple Blocks, Castanets, Snare Drum, Tam-tam, Bass Drum, Glockenspiel, Xylophone, Vibraphone)], Harp
Strings (Violin 1, Violin 2, Viola, Cello, Bass)
The idea of writing this symphony originated from my ambition, for many years, to orchestrate my piece for two pianos, Song of the Late Spider Orchid, the tenth to be written in a series of portraits of the 48 wild orchids of Britain and Ireland. I planned for it to be the first movement of a symphony with climate warnings from scientists and increasingly tortuous weather events, which, if not properly dealt with would ultimately result in many of these often-rare orchids becoming extinct, along with many other plant species and forms of wildlife.
The first movement begins with a sequence of chords representing the colours of the orchid: brown, gold, pink and green - a rhythm without a melody. Later, we hear the ‘song’ of the orchid itself - a melody with rich harmonies, but lacking rhythmic variety. In the final section, the two elements are ultimately fused: the melody and harmony overlaid on the rhythmic shape of the opening.
The short second movement is a sort of epilogue to the first - sad and elegiac, a gentle warning to suggest the orchid having been wiped out by human over-population and industrial endeavours.
The third movement borrows heavily from the Song of the Common Spotted Orchid, originally for String Quartet, depicting the subspecies okellyi found in the glorious limestone pavements of the Burren, Co Clare, Ireland. The movement is jig-like, but in this version carries a warning disguised as an Irish air, as a new middle section. The air is once again, sad and mournful.
The final movement starts with a short, somewhat firm warning, one of three such warnings, each one longer and increasingly terrifying, punctuated with partially dystopian visions. After the third warning, genuine plans for dealing with the obvious deterioration of our planet, are drawn up. The music becomes excruciatingly aware that it is gradually getting too late to ignore the impending doom. Peter Lawson
A PACK includes a full score plus a full set of wind, brass and percussion parts plus strings 4/4/3/4/2.
Duration 31 minutes
