Norwich Under the Water

Instrumentation

Bass clarinet
2
Cello
4
Clarinet
2
Electronics
1
Piano
1
1 Eb alto clarinet

Additional Information

"Absolutely fantastic!" - Gavin Bryars

"Evocative...atmospheric and moving" - Outline Magazine

“This is superb, you are a magician! This work is gorgeous.” - David Gothard CBE, Theatre Producer

"The composition stretches tendrils across time...Glorious" - Richard Allen: A Closer Listen (acloserlisten.com)

**Best listened to on good quality closed back headphones to experience the 3D effect produced through the inclusion of binaurally recorded field recordings within the piece**

Norwich Under the Water is a climate change inspired mixed media composition combining field recordings, electronics and traditional instrumentation (Bb, alto & bass clarinets, cello and piano), exploring the possibility that parts of Norwich will face regular flooding by 2030, and will eventually become fully submerged. In so doing it also raises questions about the broader global impacts of the climate crisis and our collective futures in uncertain times.

Norwich Under the Water features a very special guest vocal by the composer Gavin Bryars, recorded for this composition in his 80th birthday year.

It draws on the traditional Norfolk folk song "Windy Old Weather", and particularly the Harry Cox version of the song.

Norwich Under the Water was commissioned to compliment a physical theatre/contemporary dance piece of the same name by Vatic Theatre in 2023.

The album art has been designed to pay homage to John Bonis' design for the cover of Gavin Bryars' seminal work, The Sinking Of The Titanic.

 

Tags

Details

Year

Norwich
United Kingdom

Minutes
61

Recordings

Notes
Features a very special guest vocal by Gavin Bryars, recorded for this composition in his 80th birthday year.
Date published
11th September 2023
Date recorded
June/July 2023
Performers
All elements performed by Bill Vine, except guest vocal by Gavin Bryars
Record company
Ryoanji Records