Year: 2023

Orchestration: two piccolos, two flutes, two oboes, cor anglais, two B flat clarinets, bass clarinet in B flat, two bassoons, four French horns in F, three B flat trumpets, two trombones, bass trombone, tuba, two sets of timpani, two snare drums, tenor drum, bass drum, cymbals, tamtam, bongos,tambourine and usual strings.

Duration: ca. 50 minutes

Program Note:

A symphonic portrait of characters from history who are regarded (although not necessarily universally) as heroes.

First movement.

A. Nelson (1758-1805). An iconic albeit flawed hero with a reputation for vanity. Snatches of sea songs and other music associated with the Royal Navy at the time can be discerned. The sea’s various moods are captured and a violent battle (Trafalgar) ensues culminating in Nelson’s death.

B. Wellington (1769-1852). Another iconic and flawed hero with a reputation for reserved aloofness. Just before the battle of Waterloo reveille is sounded and the camp is stirred into life by mixed snatches of marching tunes and general activity. The battle commences and after a hard-fought victory a hushed air falls over the battlefield. Wellington then marches his troops away eventually to be greeted on his return home by triumphant fanfares and marches.

Second movement.

A. Van Gogh (1853-1890). A brilliant artist who constantly had to fight his own demons which inspired me to concentrate on the disparate elements of his character. Only towards the end does the music reflect the vivid colours and light which burst forth from many of his best works.

B. Picasso (1881-1973.) In the case of this multi-faceted genius I attempted to follow Picasso’s artistic upbringing and fearless development starting with his youth in Spain and the self-portrait of 1896. Following the death of his friend Casagemas Picasso became extremely depressed flirting with religion and embarking on his “blue period”. The music here makes use of a dark passacaglia theme to reflect this state of mind and then to suggest “The Old Guitarist” followed by the less dark “Girl in a Chemise.” As Picasso gradually came out of his depression he began his brighter “pink period” albeit still concentrating on poor and underprivileged characters including “Family of Saltimbanques” and “Harlequin with Glass”. Perhaps the most significant development came via his contribution to “cubism. For this I chose “Ma Jolie” (brass interjections then strings) merging into his most famous painting, “Guernica” for which the passacaglia theme returns eventually to be grossly distorted by dissonant war-like clamours. The movement closes with keening post-strife sadness.

Third movement.

King (1929-1968) and Mandela (1918-2013.) In the main I drew these iconic leaders and statesmen together suggesting an overriding dignified striving for justice and freedom. I composed a twelve bar “bluesy” theme to begin with followed by an oblique reference to “Sobashiya Abazali” (an anti-apartheid song.) Then comes an extended, somewhat loosely based variation on the spiritual, “Oh Freedom”, and then a comprehensive development section. The movement closes with an impassioned and newly varied restatement of “Oh Freedom.”

Fourth movement.

Emmeline Pankhurst (1858-1928) and Emily Davison (1872-1913). Again in the main I drew these two incredible women suffragettes together in a fitting conclusion and tribute to heroism of differing scope and impact. The opening of the finale reflects a spirit of youthful exuberance and determination which is tempered by alternating periods of reflection, action and authoritarian rejection, demonstrative marches and sometimes violent suppression. Davison then hatches her reckless plan to attempt to attach a suffragette sash to the horse of King George V during the course of the Epsom Derby. Davison makes her doomed attempt which unseats the jockey and leads to his horse trampling her underfoot. There follows a lengthy eulogistic coda to cover her subsequent death and funeral (attended by thousands). Music from earlier movements provides a moving and final tribute to all who strived in their own different ways for freedom or the betterment of mankind.