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Additional Information
This piece was written at the request of my wife, Julie to whom it is dedicated.
Although it loosely follows the traditional three movement format of Fast – Slow – Fast, each of the three movements has a subtitle to indicate the programmatic nature of this work.
Mov. I Introduction and Allegro – (Youth and First Love)
Mov. II A La Ritornello – (Love, Friendship and Compassion)
Move. III Dance and Coda – (Family Joy and Life’s Circle)
The piece concerns the major aspects of our lives together. The musical material is based upon the two hymns that we had at our wedding 45 years ago: Nun Danket (Now Thank we all our God) and Slane (Lord of all Hopefulness).
The solo clarinet and oboe represent Julie and myself as these are the instruments that we play.
In the third movement, the orchestral flute and clarinet (the instruments of our daughter and son) are also given solo roles such that this movement becomes more like a Concerto Grosso with interplay between the four instruments against the orchestra.
Details
Hexham
United Kingdom