Music Composition and Performance [cl-solo, 2 vn, va, vc] c.10 min.

'Report to History' is a site-specific composition written for the acoustic properties of St Vincent's Chapel, Stockbridge, Edinburgh. This piece exploits the particular resonances of the space, such as the Low C Standing wave in the area near the Font. Also, the effect of dislocation when certain notes are played by a Bb Clarinet from the choir stalls into the rafters of the chapel. The result is that from the point of view of the audience below it is difficult to locate the origin of the clarinet.

The composition requires the movement of musicians around the space in order to emphasise these properties. Most markedly is from bar 47, where the clarinetist sustains a concert A by circular breathing whilst walking down the aisle towards their seat.

The piece concludes with the string quartet and Bass Clarinet making apparent resonance of the pitch C by accentuating the partials in the harmonic series.

Performers:
Pete Furniss
Gildas Quartet

Programmed with:
‘Métamorphoses nocturnes’ - György Ligeti
‘Five movements for string quartet’ - Anton von Webern
‘Seven Rocks’ - Harry Whalley

• https://www.cmc.ie/music/report-history
• https://www.harrywhalley.com/classical