Twisted Skyscape

Composer

Christopher Hussey: christopherhussey.co.uk

General Information

Year: 2008

Duration: 15 minutes

Publisher: Unpublished (Further details directly from Christopher Hussey)

Instrumentation

Flute I-III (Part I doubling piccolo)

Oboe I-II

Bb Clarinet I-III

Bb Bass Clarinet

Bb Contrabass Clarinet

Eb Alto Saxophone I-II

Bb Tenor Saxophone

Eb Baritone Saxophone

Bassoon

Contrabassoon

Programme notes

Twisted Skyscape was written as part of the Adopt-A-Composer scheme, funded by the PRSF and run by SPNM in association with Making Music. Christopher Hussey was paired with the Bloomsbury Woodwind Ensemble, a woodwind orchestra based in London, UK. The project grew into a double commission with the National Film and Television School (London, UK). Twisted Skyscape was simultaneously performed with the silent film, Flux, by Matthew Kemp. The world première took place at the Riverside Studios in London, UK on 6 December 2008 and was conducted by Shea Lolin.

The work opens with dark brooding calls from the bass instruments. This is contrasted with shimmering trills and flickers of light in the form of melodic development. Sporadic bursts of movement become more constant with an energetic and articulated section. This gives way to fanfare like section with irregular meter. As a climax rises, it is contrasted sharply with the hushed tones of the opening, now with more urgency. This section grows to the main climax, marked Grandioso. The work concludes with chords in the upper instruments with a return to melodic fragments in the lower instruments.  

Performances

Bloomsbury Woodwind Ensemble (Shea Lolin, conductor) at Riverside Studios, London UK on 6 December 2008

Bloomsbury Woodwind Ensemble (Shea Lolin, conductor) at St. John's, Smith Square, London, UK on 27 November 2010.

Recording for Twisted Skyscape album (see below) on 26 March 2014.

Discography

Recorded by the Czech Philharmonic Wind Ensemble conducted by Shea Lolin. Details at www.twistedskyscape.com

Composer

Christopher Hussey: christopherhussey.co.uk

General Information

Year: 2008

Duration: 15 minutes

Publisher: Unpublished (Further details directly from Christopher Hussey)

Instrumentation

Flute I-III (Part I doubling piccolo)

Oboe I-II

Bb Clarinet I-III

Bb Bass Clarinet

Bb Contrabass Clarinet

Eb Alto Saxophone I-II

Bb Tenor Saxophone

Eb Baritone Saxophone

Bassoon

Contrabassoon

Programme notes

Twisted Skyscape was written as part of the Adopt-A-Composer scheme, funded by the PRSF and run by SPNM in association with Making Music. Christopher Hussey was paired with the Bloomsbury Woodwind Ensemble, a woodwind orchestra based in London, UK. The project grew into a double commission with the National Film and Television School (London, UK). Twisted Skyscape was simultaneously performed with the silent film, Flux, by Matthew Kemp. The world première took place at the Riverside Studios in London, UK on 6 December 2008 and was conducted by Shea Lolin.

The work opens with dark brooding calls from the bass instruments. This is contrasted with shimmering trills and flickers of light in the form of melodic development. Sporadic bursts of movement become more constant with an energetic and articulated section. This gives way to fanfare like section with irregular meter. As a climax rises, it is contrasted sharply with the hushed tones of the opening, now with more urgency. This section grows to the main climax, marked Grandioso. The work concludes with chords in the upper instruments with a return to melodic fragments in the lower instruments.  

Performances

Bloomsbury Woodwind Ensemble (Shea Lolin, conductor) at Riverside Studios, London UK on 6 December 2008

Bloomsbury Woodwind Ensemble (Shea Lolin, conductor) at St. John's, Smith Square, London, UK on 27 November 2010.

Recording for Twisted Skyscape album (see below) on 26 March 2014.

Discography

Recorded by the Czech Philharmonic Wind Ensemble conducted by Shea Lolin. Details at www.twistedskyscape.com