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Home , BBC Young Musician, Clarinet concerto, Guy Johnston, Julian Anderson, Nicholas Daniel, Vaughan Oliver

Mark Simpson Night Music

Leonard Elschenbroich Alexei Grynyuk Mercury Quartet Richard Uttley piano Mark Simpson Víkingur Ólafsson piano Ian Buckle piano cello Ensemble 10/10 Clark Rundell conductor Jonathan Small oboe 2 Mark Simpson Notes by Mark Simpson

Night Music Night Music (2014) Ariel (2009) Night Music is cast in one large Ariel is scored for , violin, 1 Night Music (2014) 15’03 movement with four distinct sections. cello and piano, and is a response to Leonard Elschenbroich cello It inhabits a world of dreams, the poem of the same name by Sylvia Alexei Grynyuk piano nightmares, moonlight and darkness, Plath. I reacted to the poem musically, 2 Ariel (2009) 13’14 beginning in a quasi-somnambulant jotting down the ideas for instrumental Mercury Quartet state, with a blurring of melodic lines combinations, as well as the emotional and harmony. With a lack of distinct content as I read the words. The piece 3 (2009) 7’47 Barkham Fantasy pulse, we feel as though we could be begins, (‘Stasis in darkness…’) and Richard Uttley piano floating.The music gradually intensifies gradually wakens up to a furious outburst and leads us to the second section which 4 Echoes and Embers (2012) 11’10 in all the instruments. Scales descend is rhythmically driven, cutting from Mark Simpson clarinet to the depths of the instruments’ ranges, moment to moment as though in a night- Víkingur Ólafsson piano out of which a slow, winding duet for time chase. The third section begins with basset clarinet and cello leads to the 5 (2006) 3’46 a beautiful, high, singing cello melody Lov(escape) centre of the work – a slow, calm three- Mark Simpson clarinet with a gurgling piano accompaniment. A chord chorale. The work then comes Ian Buckle piano lullaby-like piano solo follows, interrupted by a piercingly expressive high cello, to a stand-still where short outbursts 6 Un Regalo (2004) 7’21 followed by expressive pizzicati. In the are gradually transformed into new, Guy Johnston cello fourth and final section the cello emerges faster material. The three-chord chorale motif then goes through a number 7 (2013) 6’17 from the depths of the piano in a slow, Windflower of permutations until a recap of the Nicholas Daniel oboe long line that gradually rises and leads to an explosive, emotionally powerful opening’s outburst is quickly sidelined by 8 Nur Musik (2008) 9’48 climax. The coda quotes moments from a boldly expressive return of the chorale Jonathan Small oboe the previous sections and draws the work motif. This piece is about extremes – Ensemble 10/10 gently to a close. extremes of expression, of instrumental Clark Rundell conductor textures and capabilities. Night Music is dedicated to Leonard Total timing 75’17 Elschenbroich. Ariel is dedicated to the Mercury Quartet.

© Kaupo Kikkas 3 Barkham Fantasy (2009) Barkham Fantasy is dedicated to Richard whilst the second is more erratic and the instruments, while the second is This piece was written during my stay at Uttley. desperate to escape. They can be seen as a relentless tarantella-like music with both connected and separate, hence the erratic outbursts leading to a third, Barkham, an idyllic converted farmhouse Echoes and Embers (2012) amidst the backdrop of the Devonshire formation of the title. broader expressive music where intense Echoes and Embers is a work that explores melodic gestures meld, shift, and fall moors. I wanted the piece to resemble a The first section sees the development of an intimate relationship between clarinet ghostly shadow of a slow movement from upon each other. The last section is a and piano. Quiet, delicate textures are this idea, while the second concentrates a Mozart or Haydn piano sonata. Whilst quiet, distant recap of the opening which heard in both instruments, interspersed solely on the latter, more erratic gesture, composing, I had an unsettling feeling fades to nothing. with silences that serve both to puncture displaying the virtuosic capabilities of being watched from a window in the and connect material. Resonance, echoes of the clarinet with some extended Un Regalo is dedicated to Guy Johnston. barn I was working in. Over the course and a blurring of elements are a primary techniques – including screaming of my stay, I was gradually instilled feature of this work, leading towards an through the instrument, glissandi, and Windflower (2014) with a sense of fear and unease which impassioned climax where tension is flutter-tonguing. In the final section I try Windflower was written as a companion manifested itself in the music I was both released and accumulated. There to reconcile the differences between the piece to ’s Six writing. The idea of ghosts, hauntings is an inherent ambiguity to the work: two characters, with wild swoops in both Metamorphoses after Ovid for solo oboe. and shadows inevitably played a larger the compositional procedures can be instruments ending in a frantic struggle The task was to write a piece based on part in this piece than I had originally viewed as doing two separate things between the two. another of Ovid’s tales that Benjamin envisaged. Barkham Fantasy falls into simultaneously. The material can be both Britten had not used for his set. Instead I two sections; the first characterised an echo of something heard, a dying Un Regalo (2015) used Ted Hughes’s own brilliant Tales of by a slow alberti bass figure in the ember, and something that serves to have This piece was written to celebrate the Ovid as a point of inspiration and chose left hand and stratospheric melodies the potential to awaken and become more 300th birthday of Guy Johnston’s David ‘Venus and Adonis’. At the end of the tale, in the right hand. The second section important. Techler cello. The title is Italian for ‘gift’. at the point of Adonis’s brutal slaughter by sees the introduction of a new melody I wanted to showcase not just Guy’s a wild boar, Venus rips her hair and clasps Echoes and Embers is dedicated to my where the alberti figure is morphed into brilliant musicianship but also the innate at her skin, holding Adonis to her chest as friend Joe O’Brien. a tremolando figuration, coupled with understanding he has of the instrument he dies whilst screaming to the Fates. His schizophrenic outbursts that lead to blood splatters to the floor and she hails Lov(escape) (2006) he plays and its qualities. The fantastic swirling virtuosic piano textures. A dark, resonance of the instrument is what that it will bloom into an immortal flower. sombre chorale figure, superimposed Lov(escape) was written for my semi-final inspired the opening gesture, with the two Pouring nectar into his mangled body, his with the opening material, rises up from recital for the BBC Young Musician of lowest open strings dictating the opening blood begins to seethe. Soon after there the depths of the piano and leads to the the Year competition in 2006. The title chord, harmony and shape of the work. stands a delicate, bright, blood-coloured work’s climax after which the debris of refers to the relationship between the two flower. Its life is brief – the petals fall at the chorale is left to settle within the gestures that characterise the first idea: The piece is in four sections. The the first breeze of the wind that flows over resonance of the whole piece. the opening is yearning and romantic, first showcases lyrical extremes of them. Windflower is its name.

4 5 I wanted to show the passionate wailings of Venus coupled with the unstable, Mark Simpson flowing nature of the Windflower. Windflower is dedicated to Nicholas Composer and clarinettist Mark Simpson and IdeasTap, receiving immediate Simpson’s ensemble works have been Daniel. (b.1988, Liverpool) became the first critical acclaim: ‘blazingly original ’ performed by such ensembles as London ever winner of both the BBC Young (The Guardian); ‘the best new choral Sinfonietta, Psappha and Ensemble Nur Musik (2008) Musician of the Year and BBC Proms/ work I’ve heard in years’ (The Times). 10/10, while as a chamber musician When I was approached to write for Guardian Young Composer of the Year Other orchestral works include Israfel Mark has performed with Isabelle Faust, Ensemble 10/10 in 2008, the year competitions in 2006. He went on to (2014), premiered by the BBC Scottish Angela Hewitt, Pierre-Laurent Aimard Liverpool was European Capital of read Music at St. Catherine’s College, Symphony and Andrew Litton, and Jean-Guihen Queyras, among others. Culture, I immediately heard the sound Oxford, and studied composition sparks (2012), commissioned for the He also performs regularly as a of a soaring oboe line wrapped inside a with Julian Anderson at the Guildhall Last Night of and A mirror- soloist, notably in Nielsen’s Clarinet dense, dark and murky ensemble texture, School of Music & Drama, before being fragment… (2008), written for the Royal Concerto at the 2015 BBC Proms with fighting to be heard amongst aggressive, selected for representation by the Young Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra. the BBC Symphony Orchestra and Sir Classical Artists Trust. Simpson was a and most recently in volatile and even explosive music. Recent highlights include the premiere Immediately after, in stark contrast, I BBC New Generation Artist from 2012- ’s Clarinet Concerto with of Simpson’s first opera Pleasure, heard softer, tender and more intimate 2014. He received a Borletti-Butoni the BBC Philharmonic and HK Gruber. with a libretto by Melanie Challenger, music. I also wanted to highlight the Trust Fellowship in 2014 and the Royal commissioned by Opera North, the www.marksimpsonmusic.com oboe’s power to sing with yearning, Philharmonic Society Composition Award Royal Opera and Aldeburgh Music lyrical intensity. These two opposing in 2010, and is a Visiting Fellow of Lady with performances in Leeds, Liverpool, worlds form the basic structure of the Margaret Hall, Oxford. In 2015 he was Aldeburgh and London. Other new works Also on NMC featuring Mark Simpson work. The piece was written during a appointed Composer in Association with include a trio for clarinet, piano and NMC D139 Prism (new works for clarinet stay in Berlin in 2008. It has no extra- the BBC Philharmonic for a period of viola with Pierre-Laurent Aimard and and basset clarinet) musical influence, hence the title Nur four years. Antoine Tamestit, commissioned by the Musik, which translates as ‘just music’ Simpson’s most recent work The Salzburg and Edinburgh International or ‘simply music’. Immortal (2015), an oratorio for festivals, a new work for solo clarinet, a Nur Musik is dedicated to Ensemble baritone, chorus and symphony for Leonard Elschenbroich 10/10. orchestra, was premiered by the BBC and the BBC Philharmonic, and a Piano Information about the artists on this Philharmonic and Juanjo Mena at the Trio for the Gould Trio, supported through disc can be found on our website: Manchester International Festival, with Beyond Borders and the PRS for Music www.nmcrec.co.uk © Mark Simpson 2016 support from Sky Arts Futures Fund Foundation.

6 7 Cover artwork created by Sabba Keynejad, a student from the BA (Hons) Graphic Design With special thanks to City & Cambridge course at Central Saint Martins College of Arts and Design. Students were briefed to create Consultancy and Borletti-Buitoni Trust cover artwork for the series and winning students selected to have their work used in NMC’s for their support with this recording. Debut Discs series; the judging panel included NMC’s Executive Producer Colin Matthews, designer Vaughan Oliver and journalist and broadcaster Tom Service. The Borletti-Buitoni Trust (BBT) helps outstanding young musicians to develop and sustain international careers with awards that fund tailor-made projects. As well as fi nancial assistance the Trust Graphic design student at Central Saint provides invaluable support and encouragement Martins. Currently living in London; from North to an ever-growing family of young musicians. Norfolk. Interested in a broad range of visual www.bbtrust.com communication. Sabba Keynejad writes: The passive experience of music can take Thank you to the trusts, foundations and individuals who have invested in you anywhere. The composer takes you on NMC’s Debut Discs series: a journey, one that is carefully devised with The Astor Foundation RVW Trust altitudes and emotions. Attempting to visualise The Boltini Trust Richard Thomas Foundation music is hard, and like everything else we all harbour our own opinions. I can’t say you will The John S Cohen Foundation (www.rthomasfoundation.com) be able to listen to this music and instantly Colwinston Charitable Trust Jennifer Roslyn Wingate create a semantic relationship with the cover. The Fenton Arts Trust I would like you, the listener, to think about Nicholas and Judith Goodison The individuals who donated through what you would do if you were to create this Mercers’ Charitable Foundation The Big Give Christmas Challenge CD cover. Stanley Picker Trust December 2011 www.sabbakeynejad.com The Radcliffe Trust

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8 9 Night Music was recorded at BBC Maida Vale Studio 1, London DISTRIBUTION THANK YOU SUPPORT 24 September 2014 NMC recordings are distributed worldwide in CD and download format. NMC RECORDINGS LINDSAY KEMP Recording Producer For more information visit our website. PHILIP BURWELL Engineer PRODUCERS’ CIRCLE You can also purchase recordings direct from our online store As a charity NMC is non-profit-making, providing Echoes and Embers was recorded at The Warehouse, London www.nmcrec.co.uk Anonymous, Robert D. Bielecki Foundation, Anthony Bolton, Luke 15 October 2012 Gardiner, Jonathan Goldstein, Nicholas and Judith Goodison, public benefit through the contribution our work EMMA BLOXHAM Recording Producer makes to enriching cultural life. Our ability PHILIP BURWELL & MICHAEL BACON Engineers FOR FURTHER DETAILS PLEASE CONTACT: Vladimir Jurowski, George Law, Colin Matthews, James and Anne to record and promote the innovative, the Nur Musik was recorded at St George’s Hall Concert Room, Liverpool NMC Recordings Ltd Rushton, Richard Steele, Charlotte Stevenson, Janis Susskind, challenging, the obscure and the lost is reliant 14 May 2008 Somerset House, Third Floor, South Wing, Andrew Ward, Arnold Whittall upon securing the support of individuals who are SAM PHILLIPS Recording Producer Strand, London, WC2R 1LA TIM ARCHER & MIKE SMITH Engineers PRINCIPAL BENEFACTORS as passionate about new music as we are. Tel. +44 (0)20 7759 1827/8 • Fax. +44 (0)20 7759 1829 Un Regalo was recorded at All Saints East Finchley, London, E-mail: [email protected] • Website: www.nmcrec.co.uk Benjamin Bruce, Diana Burrell, John Casken, Robin Chapman, 1 December 2015; Windflower, Barkham Fantasy and Ariel were Friends membership (£50 / £20 concession per All rights of the manufacturer and owner of the recorded material recorded at The Menuhin Hall, , , 13 Anton Cox, Brian Elias, Richard Fries, Michael Greenwald, Terry year) offers advance notice of NMC releases, a reserved. Unauthorised public performance, broadcasting and copying September 2015; Lov(escape) was recorded at the Capstone Building, of this recording prohibited. Holmes, Stephen Johns, Jeremy Marchant, Belinda Matthews, quarterly newsletter, and invitations to selected Liverpool Hope University, 9 August 2010 Robert McFarland, Kieron O’Hara, Tarik O’Regan, Duncan Tebbet, NMC events including CD launches. 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FRANCOIS HALL Graphic design Tracks 2, 3, 5 (P) 2016 NMC Recordings Ltd Cayley, David Charlton, Susan Costello and Robert Clark, Sheila The NMC Producers’ Circle invites donations of £1,000+ to help us release particular hidden NMC Recordings is a charitable company (reg. no. 328052) established © 2016 NMC Recordings Ltd Colvin, Steven Foster, Matthew Frost, Anthony Gilbert, Alexander for the recording of contemporary music by the Holst Foundation; it gems. It allows donors to gain an exclusive insight Catalogue no.: NMC D225 Goehr, Jennifer Goodwin, Adam Gorb, Elaine Gould, Paul Griffiths, is grateful for funding from Arts Council , the Britten-Pears into and association with our work. Foundation and The Delius Trust. Mark Simpson was a member of the BBC Radio 3 New Generation Artists David Gutman, Barry Guy, Matthew Harris, Robin Holloway, Helen scheme 2012-2014. 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