The York Research Database

Second in a series of short 'postcards', commissioned by the Scottish Ensemble.

[programme note]

At their concert in the Caird Hall in October, the Scottish Ensemble processed
on stage playing Pachelbel’s canon, gathering players from the local amateur
and youth orchestras as they went until the performing area was filled to
bursting. Being in the midst of this body of sound as it passed through the
hall – first behind, then around, then in front of you – was a powerful and
moving experience. And it is where the idea for this postcard began.

Where the violin leads, the others follow. Polyphony ensues, eventually
arriving at rich, gleaming, microtonal chords covering all registers.
Throughout the whole piece a simple melodic phrase loops over and again.