Two Études for Solo Violin
2010
For Sarah Hill
These Two Études for Solo Violin aim to explore sharply defined and contrasting aspects of violin technique. The first deals with glissandi – upwards, downwards and in contrary motion – and evokes the sounds of jet engines, formula one cars and Jimi Hendrix’s performance of ‘Star Spangled Banner’. The second is a palindromic cycle, in quavers, around manipulations of a 12-note series – but one whose timings have been twisted, bent out of shape to become stuttering, rushed and erratic.
Instrumentation: Violin solo
Duration: c. 3′
Premiere: 19 March 2010 by Sarah Hill at Vaganza’s ‘Italians: Dead or Alive’ day, Cosmo Rodewald Hall, Manchester
Further performances: 4 June 2010 by Sarah Hill at her solo third-year undergraduate recital, Cosmo Rodewald Hall, Manchester
15 May 2011 by Conway Kuo, Vox Novus Fifteen Minutes of Fame, Jan Hus Church, New York (Étude in Glissandi only)
1 November 2011 by Daniel Mihai, Vox Novus Tour, National College of Art ‘Regina Maria’, Constanta, Romania. (Étude in Glissandi only)
3 November 2011 by Daniel Mihai, Vox Novus Tour, George Enescu University of Music, Bucharest, Romania. (Étude in Glissandi only)
13 April 2013 by Tom Norris, LSO Aftershock, Barbican foyer, London