Browse Works
Instrumentation
Additional Information
solo piano
2012
Duration 12’
Instrumentation piano
First Performance 30 July 2013, West Road Concert Hall, Cambridge, UK; Cambridge Suzuki Young Musicians
Further Performances
6.11.15 Burgh House and Hampstead Museum, Annie Yim piano
http://composersedition.com/charlotte-bray-chapter-one
These piano pieces were written as presents for the composers school friends (aka “The Nuggets”), to celebrate the births of their children. Intended to be played by children and adults alike, Chapter One is a collection of four short pieces. Each explores the piano in a different way, designating a temperament to the music, inspired by the child in some way.
Song for Cici explores the character traits of the name Cicilia. The piece is lyrical and hushed with a more animated central section. Lively and energetic, the cheeky opening motive of Albie! is made up of the letters of his name that translate directly into musical letters (A B and E). The fast pace is somewhat relentless, the energy carrying through to the end. The third piece in the collection was written in remembrance of Thomas Davies. It is an expressive lament, as if crying out for understanding or reasoning where there is none. Written for Samantha and Ben Davies’ second child Oliver James, this final piece is the first collection Tuesday’s Child is soothing and joyful. A line taken from the traditional nursery rhyme Monday’s Child inspired the piece, ‘Tuesday’s Child is full of grace’. A gentle innocence sings throughout.
1 Song for Cici
2 Albie!
3 Lament
4 Tuesday’s Child
