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        • Emily Howard

        • Solar (2010)
          (for orchestra)

        • Peters Edition Limited (World)

        Commissioned by London Symphony Orchestra as part of UBS Soundscapes: Pioneers

        First performed on 10th November 2010 by the London Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Nicholas Collon at the Barbican Hall, London

        • 3(III:pic).3(III:obda).0+3bb-cl.3(III:cbn)/0+4f-hn.0+3bb-tpt.2+btbn.1/timp.2perc/hp/str
        • 5 min 30 s

        Programme Note

         

        Often I find inspiration in nature and science, and especially in the history and myths associated with scientific phenomena. Magnetic forces are of great interest to me and in many of my works, musical material behaves as though it is being attracted and/or repelled by magnets.

        ‘Solar’ can be defined as ‘of or having to do with the sun’ and, in this short work, I wanted to create a musical image of our sun, our life-force. I have tried to encapsulate the sun’s strong solar magnetic field as well as its status as an object of devotion in cultures throughout human history, in music that is often bursting with energy on the surface, but always with a slow-burning and intense core.

        Emily Howard, 2010

         

        Media

        Solar recorded by RLPO and Andrew Gourlay (NMC)

        Scores

        Reviews

        "The relationship to Magnetite was clearly audible: both Solar and Magnetite were inspired by the idea of sound as magnetic fields. Emily Howard proves her hand for theatrical moments and a cleverly devised arc of suspense. The audience received the work enthusiastically…"

        NN, www.terz.cc (Austria)
        November 2011

        "Solar … manages to suggest galactic power on a compact scale and sets a trajectory of inexorable slow movement that took it convincingly in a single revolution to the final bar."

        Richard Fairman, The Financial Times
        November 2010

        "... compelling sonorities, and high-density harmonies, well constructed and strongly imagined."

        Jessica Duchen, Standpoint
        November 2010

        "Howard showed herself to be more than just a good orchestrator of blazing images, conjuring up tension and a sense of magnetic pull."

        John Allison, The Sunday Telegraph
        November 2010

        "a sure touch with orchestral textures"

        Andrew Clements, The Guardian
        November 2010

        "... the ensuing slow-burn crescendo seemed tragic in its implications, a dense, barbed wall of sound ... Solar seems to despair for mankind while also being inspiring as music."

        Colin Anderson, Classical Source
        November 2010

        Discography

        Magnetite

        Magnetite
        • Label
          NMC Recordings
        • Catalogue Number
          NMC D219
        • Conductor
          Andrew Gourlay
        • Ensemble
          Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra / The Elias String Quartet
        • Soloist
          Alexandra Dariescu, Lucy Goddard, Simon Whiteley, Joshua Hyde, Noam Bierstone
        • Released
          23rd September 2016