Intriguing description, which makes the work sound like the antithesis of the Lutoslawski Cello Concerto, dramatically speaking. I’ll have to give it a listen and see whether this is borne out! Thanks for posting.
Ah, you see Chris, now you’ve made me realise how long it’s been since i’ve listened to the Lutoslawski! Thanks for pointing out the potential contrast, it’ll be good to compare…
Daniel Childers
9 years ago
Darn it Chris, you just had to bring Lutoslawski into this, now there’s just no way this thing’s gonna get a fair shot to impress me! That aside, though, I’m not sure how to feel about this piece. The wavelike nature of the structure, with its alternating note pattern giving a sense of constant back and forth motion is certainly well realized, but it also feels under-utilized. The tempo could have easily been used to create more “landmarks” in this sea of sound, perhaps even a wider range of sonic effects brought in to enhance the motion. As is, it’s pretty as well as intriguing. but it feels a tad insubstantial. Then again, I’m hardly a fair judge, I’m still busy salivating at the prospect of going back and listening to the Lutoslawski concerto again!
Chris L
9 years ago
I’ve inspired not one, but two people to listen anew to Lutoslawski? My work here is done!
[…] Cassandra Miller – Duet for Cello and Orchestra – Charles Curtis, BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra/Ilan Volkov (broadcast recording; information here) […]
Sparky P.
9 years ago
One item that comes to mind about this piece is “The Unanswered Question”. The soloist continues its journey unaffected, the ensemble interjections becoming more elaborate than the previous time.
[…] expanded and reduced instrumental scales. At one end is the Duet for cello and orchestra, a work i wrote about a few years ago following its première at the 2015 Tectonics festival. Returning to the work has been an […]
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Intriguing description, which makes the work sound like the antithesis of the Lutoslawski Cello Concerto, dramatically speaking. I’ll have to give it a listen and see whether this is borne out! Thanks for posting.
Ah, you see Chris, now you’ve made me realise how long it’s been since i’ve listened to the Lutoslawski! Thanks for pointing out the potential contrast, it’ll be good to compare…
Darn it Chris, you just had to bring Lutoslawski into this, now there’s just no way this thing’s gonna get a fair shot to impress me! That aside, though, I’m not sure how to feel about this piece. The wavelike nature of the structure, with its alternating note pattern giving a sense of constant back and forth motion is certainly well realized, but it also feels under-utilized. The tempo could have easily been used to create more “landmarks” in this sea of sound, perhaps even a wider range of sonic effects brought in to enhance the motion. As is, it’s pretty as well as intriguing. but it feels a tad insubstantial. Then again, I’m hardly a fair judge, I’m still busy salivating at the prospect of going back and listening to the Lutoslawski concerto again!
I’ve inspired not one, but two people to listen anew to Lutoslawski? My work here is done!
[…] The complete recording made by the BBC is no longer available online. However, a reviewer has made it available for download here. […]
[…] Cassandra Miller – Duet for Cello and Orchestra – Charles Curtis, BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra/Ilan Volkov (broadcast recording; information here) […]
One item that comes to mind about this piece is “The Unanswered Question”. The soloist continues its journey unaffected, the ensemble interjections becoming more elaborate than the previous time.
[…] expanded and reduced instrumental scales. At one end is the Duet for cello and orchestra, a work i wrote about a few years ago following its première at the 2015 Tectonics festival. Returning to the work has been an […]