HRSE performed Elliott Carter’s Triple Duo a few years ago and it has been a work that the ensemble has longed to return to. As we are celebrating our fifth anniversary, now was felt to be the time to revisit this monumental and challenging chamber work. A perfect opportunity as well to perform some of Carter’s compatriots, resulting in a programme with a strong USA thread, albeit a broad stylistic variety. Perry Goldstein’s Twittering machine is a beautifully wrought reflection on the eponymous painting by Paul Klee, while Into the depths by Elizabeth Kelly, written for Sarah Watts’ latest instrumental acquisition, the contrabass clarinet, explores the full registral and expressive range of the unique instrument, from the shuddering depths of its deepest register to the surprising lyrical melodic playing possible in the altissimo stratosphere.

From our side of the pond we have two spanking new pieces to offer audiences. Firstly, one of HRSE’s latest commissions, Ground Truthing by Piers Hellawell, and then the latest work from Greg Caffrey to complete his Yeats trilogy, Things fall apart; the centre cannot hold. Finally, we have a work that could conceivably fit comfortably on either side of the pond, Winter Reflections from Connecticut born Irish composer (and our 2018/19 Featured Composer), Jane O’Leary.

Twittering Machine (1997 rev. 1998) Perry Goldstein (1952)
fl, cl, vln & vcl, pno & perc.

Into the depths (2018) Elizabeth Kelly (1982)
cbs cl & pno

Ground Truthing* (2018) Piers Hellawell (1956)
fl (pic. al fl, mel.), cl, vln & vcl & pno

Interval

Things fall apart; the centre cannot hold** (2018) Greg Caffrey (1963)
fl (pic.), bs. cl, vln & vcl & pno

Winter Reflections (2010) Jane O’Leary (1946)
al. fl, Bb cl & vln.

Carter Triple Duo (1983) Elliott Carter (1908)
fl (pic.), Bb cl (Eb & bs cl), vln & vcl , pno & perc

*Commissioned by HRSE with funds from ACNI
**written for HRSE.