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- Hugh Wood
Poem (1993)
- Chester Music Ltd (World)
Commissioned by the PLG Young Artists Concerts New Year Series 1994
Programme Note
I wrote this piece in June and July of 1993 for Clio Gould. I have long admired her playing, and the piece is dedicated to her. There is nothing complicated about the title – no attempts at imitation of sonnet structure or any arcane rhyming scheme: it just seemed like a nice name for a piece which was intended to be straightforwardly lyrical - one long tune, in fact. Piano and violin are not equal partners here as they would be in a sonata: nevertheless I hope there is enough of interest for the piano to do. As for the violin, it never stops playing.
I suppose the piece is binary, in the sense that the tune happens twice. The opening rhetorical section, marked ‘exultante’, is more white-note than anything I’ve written for some time: this character alternates with chromatic music. The tune begins pianissimo on the violin and, by way of a rising section with much double stopping, comes to the climax and a return of an enhanced version of the opening declamation. The tune returns pianissimo as before, but in a higher register and with a more flowing and intricate accompaniment. From now on the violin spends most of its time in the stratosphere before a final, ghostly return of the opening rhetorical figure in harmonics at the very end.
Hugh Wood
I suppose the piece is binary, in the sense that the tune happens twice. The opening rhetorical section, marked ‘exultante’, is more white-note than anything I’ve written for some time: this character alternates with chromatic music. The tune begins pianissimo on the violin and, by way of a rising section with much double stopping, comes to the climax and a return of an enhanced version of the opening declamation. The tune returns pianissimo as before, but in a higher register and with a more flowing and intricate accompaniment. From now on the violin spends most of its time in the stratosphere before a final, ghostly return of the opening rhetorical figure in harmonics at the very end.
Hugh Wood
Media
Poem, Op. 35
Reviews
...a marvel of concision, and every bit as good as Stravinsky.
5th February 2006
Discography
Chimera
- LabelUsk Recordings
- Catalogue NumberUSK 1226CD
- SoloistAlexandra Wood, violin; Huw Watkins, piano
- Released2nd November 2005
Chamber Music
- LabelToccata
- Catalogue NumberTOCC 0075
- EnsembleThe London Archduke Trio
- SoloistPaul Silverthorne (viola), Roger Heaton (clarinet)