Commissioned by Madeleine Mitchell

  • pf/vn
  • 9 min

Programme Note

Fantasia for violin and piano is in three sections of increasing length, the final section being the longest. The first section is fast, the second slow, and the third is slower still. All the ideas used in the work are presented in the first few bars. All the ideas used in the work are presented in the first few bars. Much of its impetus is in the play of juxtapositions of these ideas and their presentation in the three different tempi. It is played without a break and lasts approximately nine minutes.

Fantasia was completed in May 1986. It was commissioned by Madeleine Mitchell with funds made available by the Arts Council of Great Britain and she gave the first performance accompanied by Klaus Zoll on 2 June 1986 in the Purcell Room, London.

Brian Elias

Media

Fantasia

Reviews

The remaining two pieces inhabit stylistic realms quite different from the others. 'Fantasia', by Brian Elias,is frankly modernist in orientation; also the earliest work in the collection, it's a taut, bracing piece, with attractive textures and a compelling implied narrative. It presents a steely opening section, but then discovers within its own material a more lyrical, more warmly sonorous music - which Mitchell projects in gentler timbres and softer colours.
Christopher Ballantine, International Record Review
1st August 2005

Discography

In Sunlight

In Sunlight
  • Label
    NMC
  • Catalogue Number
    NMC D098
  • Soloist
    Madeleine Mitchell (violin), Andrew Ball (piano)
  • Released
    18th May 2005

More Info