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      • 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

      Performances
      10th November 2010
      World Premiere
      London Symphony Orchestra
      Nicholas Collon Cond.
      Barbican Centre, London, UK

      20th November 2011
      Austrian Premiere | Wien Modern
      Vienna Radio Symphony Orchestra
      James MacMillan Cond.
      Wiener Konzerthaus, Vienna, Austria

      16th December 2011
      RNCM Symphony Orchestra
      Carlos del Cueto Cond.
      Royal Northern College of Music, Manchester, UK

      14th August 2013
      A      ustralian Premiere
      West Australian Symphony Orchestra
      Paul Daniel Cond.
      Astor Theatre, Perth, Australia

      14th November 2013
      BBC Symphony Orchestra
      Garry Walker Cond.
      Maida Vale Studios, London, UK

      8th October 2017  
      Music, the Universe, and Everything
      BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra
      Jonathan Bloxham Cond.
      City Halls, Glasgow, Scotland

      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

      Reviews
      "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

       "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…"
      www.terz.cc (Austria), November 2011

      Discography
      NMC Recordings Magnetite
      https://nmc-recordings.myshopify.com/products/emily-howard-magnetite

       

      Media

      Solar recorded by RLPO and Andrew Gourlay (NMC)

      Scores

      Discography