H81 Quadriga (2017)
First performed on 13 August 2018, at Cadogan Hall, London by Colin Currie (percussion) and the JACK Quartet as part of the 2018 BBC Proms season.
Instrumentation: Solo Percussion (Marimba, 4 Crotales (high octave), High temple block, Low temple block, 26" Suspended cymbal (bow required)) and String Quartet
Duration: c. 16’
Programme note:
I had wanted to write another piece for Colin Currie for some time after finishing ‘a table of noises’, the percussion concerto which I wrote for him and the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra in 2006/7, the première of which was a remarkable event to say the least. One of the finest musicians alive and now a great friend, Colin is somebody I hope always to be able to write for. Factoring in the idea of writing another piece for the JACK quartet after hearing them première my ‘3rd Quartet’ in early 2015 to devastating effect, was like some extraordinary chemical reaction, which I found difficult to contain. I’ve wanted to write a piece about the idea of a quadriga since seeing the Eileen Agar painting (with the same title) years ago. Her painting takes the form of a panel split into four sections each with the profile of a horse’s head of exactly the same shape, but each one elaborated in a completely unique way.
A quadriga (in classical mythology) comprises four horses abreast drawing a chariot. Apollo’s quadriga was often depicted bringing daylight or banishing the night. Quadriga may refer to the chariot alone, the four horses without it, or the combination. Each of the four pieces has, as a subtitle, the name of a move in dressage. The idea of dressage helped me to keep the music in the air as much as possible; I at no point wanted it to settle, but to be always turbulent and on the move. The shape of the piece is as follows: four movements; 1] (Levade) solo marimba (with sparse interjections from the quartet; 2] (Croupade) the quartet (with interjections from the percussion); 3] (Ballotade) three members of the quartet entirely in pizzicato with low marimba and then 4] (Capriole) an extended, unleashed fantasy which revisits previous elements from the piece. The piece lasts approximately 16’.
1] Levade may be played as a solo piece outside the context of ‘Quadriga’ if desired.
SH
Past Performances:
13 August 2018 (World Première)
Colin Currie (percussion) and the JACK Quartet
2018 BBC Proms
Cadogan Hall, London, UK
1 February 2020
Colin Currie (percussion) and the JACK Quartet
Purcell Room at Queen Elizabeth Hall, Southbank Centre, London, UK
Reviews:
“indubitably persuasive – not least the subtle opening for marimba, melodic, mellifluous and piano-like, before the string quartet joins in to take up similar material. From here on there is growing complexity and tension, with the burden shared more or less equally, although the demarcation between the protagonists is clearly observed. The percussionist has the last word, rounding off a substantial work which deserves to be played regularly, as here with complete confidence and sympathy.”
Barnaby Page, Classical Source, 13 August 2018