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- Cheryl Frances-Hoad
Homages Book 1 (Four Lyric Pieces) (2015)
- Cadenza Music (World)
Programme Note
Homages to Grieg, Janacek, Schubert and Ravel. Commissioned by Ivana Gavric, previously known as Lyric Pieces.
Contemplation and In the Dew premiered by Ivana Gavric at the Wigmore Hall on the 28th November 2013.
Contemplation is a meditation on a few bars from the second movement of Grieg's Sonata op.7 (bars 17-20). I was very taken by these bars, which to me seemed typically 'Griegian': the e minor chord with the added c sharp, and dominant minor chords. The piece was written in a matter of hours, and I simply elaborated upon Grieg's chords, feeling my way on the piano as I wrote. '
In the Dew was inspired by the third of Janacek's In the Mists as well as his Piano Sonata. Much of the harmonic material comes from the former, and some of the melodic motives from the latter. The piece was written to be performed after the Sonata and I wanted to write something that would be contrasting in mood, and something of a palette cleanser after the sombre ending of Janacek's work. Although the title is partly tongue-in-cheek, when I was played thepiece through myself, the image of twinkling dew came to mind, and the title also acknowledges the 'miniature' nature of this work.
Ivana asked that the Schubert homage be based on his A major sonata D664: I was delighted about this as I spent a long time learning the second movement of this sonata as a child (and the last bar of my piece is a very clear homage to the first bar of this movement). Lullaby aims to invoke the serene quality of Schubert's slow movement.
Finally, Un Canard hors de l'eau (A duck out of water) is an unashamedly flashy piece to finish, inspired by Ravel's Une Barque sur l'Ocean and Alborada. The piece steals many of Ravel's chords and rhythms hook line and sinker, but juxtaposes them in way which I hope sounds both new and old at the same time.
© Cheryl Frances-Hoad, 2015
Contemplation and In the Dew premiered by Ivana Gavric at the Wigmore Hall on the 28th November 2013.
Contemplation is a meditation on a few bars from the second movement of Grieg's Sonata op.7 (bars 17-20). I was very taken by these bars, which to me seemed typically 'Griegian': the e minor chord with the added c sharp, and dominant minor chords. The piece was written in a matter of hours, and I simply elaborated upon Grieg's chords, feeling my way on the piano as I wrote. '
In the Dew was inspired by the third of Janacek's In the Mists as well as his Piano Sonata. Much of the harmonic material comes from the former, and some of the melodic motives from the latter. The piece was written to be performed after the Sonata and I wanted to write something that would be contrasting in mood, and something of a palette cleanser after the sombre ending of Janacek's work. Although the title is partly tongue-in-cheek, when I was played thepiece through myself, the image of twinkling dew came to mind, and the title also acknowledges the 'miniature' nature of this work.
Ivana asked that the Schubert homage be based on his A major sonata D664: I was delighted about this as I spent a long time learning the second movement of this sonata as a child (and the last bar of my piece is a very clear homage to the first bar of this movement). Lullaby aims to invoke the serene quality of Schubert's slow movement.
Finally, Un Canard hors de l'eau (A duck out of water) is an unashamedly flashy piece to finish, inspired by Ravel's Une Barque sur l'Ocean and Alborada. The piece steals many of Ravel's chords and rhythms hook line and sinker, but juxtaposes them in way which I hope sounds both new and old at the same time.
© Cheryl Frances-Hoad, 2015
Media
Reviews
...the highpoint of the programme was a rare chance to hear both sets of Cheryl Frances-Hoad’s Homages. Never descending to pastiche, these eight delightful, impromptu-like tributes to other composers (Grieg, Janáček, Schubert, Ravel and Bartók, Beethoven, Mendelssohn and Haydn) are the result of a creative connection across the years, throwing into relief the breadth and rigour of Cheryl Frances-Hoad’s art.
September 2023
"Frances-Hoad’s implicit trust in the expressive power of her melodic invention and harmonic thinking is paramount.”
These enchanting miniature fantasias (Grieg, Janáček, Schubert, Ravel, Mendelssohn and Bartók in Balkan mode are the other composers honoured) are beautifully played by Ivana Gavrić and, as with Katharsis, showcase Frances-Hoad’s range and appeal as a creator."
Discography
Stolen Rhythm: Works by Cheryl Frances-Hoad
- LabelChamps Hill Records
- Catalogue NumberCHRCD119
- ConductorPaul Hoskins
- EnsemblePhoenix Piano Trio / Rambert Orchestra
- SoloistDavid Cohen, cello; Ivana Gavrić, piano
- Released30th June 2017
More Info
- 2023 Presteigne Festival hosts Composer in Residence Roxanna Panufnik alongside many more
- 8th August 2023
- Towards the end of this month the Presteigne Festival hosts Roxanna Panufnik as Composer in Residence, as well as performances of works from Edward Gregson, Jonathan Dove, Cheryl Frances-Hoad and many more.