Dualities (2005)
(for large ensemble)

Dualities by Emily Howard is a contemporary work for an ensemble of 14 players. One of her earliest works, it is an expression of the composer’s fascination with the juxtaposition of musical extremes. It explores relationships between emotion and reason, constructivism and spontaneity, complexity and simplicity. The piece evolves through a number of transitions between contrasting soundworlds, from overwhelmingly energetic passages to those that are tranquil and introspective. Dualities was commissioned by Ensemble 10/10, the Contemporary Music Group of the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic who gave the first performance on 5 October 2005, conducted by Clark Rundell, at the Eleanor Rathbone Theatre, University of Liverpool.