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- Emily Howard
Obsidian (2010)
(A Volcanic Ash Lullaby)- Peters Edition Limited (World)
Commissioned by Prima Vista for the Black Dyke Band
First performed by the Black Dyke Band conducted by Nicholas Childs on 13th June 2010 at the Brass Arts Festival, Leeds Town Hall, Leeds. Shortlisted for a British Composer Award in 2011.
- 2+barhn.0.2+btbn.0+bb-b+eb-b.9cnt.scrt.flg.euph/timp.3perc
- 6 min
Programme Note
Obsidian is a naturally occurring volcanic glass and was very topical in 2010: the threat of its presence in European airspace brought Europe to a complete standstill in April 2010 when Icelandic Volcano Mount Eyjafjallajokull began eruptions and airports across Europe were forced to close. Coincidentally, before this happened, I had already thought of the title and concept for Obsidian, my first work for brass band. Often I find inspiration in geology, and especially in the history and myths associated with rocks and minerals. In ancient times, obsidian was sought and used for cutting tools, weapons (for example on Easter Island) and ceremonial points such as spearheads. Now it is used in jewellery, scalpel blades, mirrors and even wind chimes. In Obsidian, I have sculpted brass sounds in order to encapsulate these myths as well as the natural qualities of obsidian – dark in appearance, glassy, and sharp to touch.
Emily Howard, 2010
Scores
Reviews
“The real musical substance though came with the premiere by Black Dyke of ‘Obsidian’ by Emily Howard, a remarkable work of just under 6 minutes inspired by the volcanic qualities of the mineral glass. Darkly textured with subtle nuance to the internal timbres of the lower spectrum of band dynamics, it evoked deep atmospheric mystery. Occasional sharper edges related to the felsic qualities that can utilised for use as a weapon or cutting tool, or the buffed, highly polished traits that make it such an attractive medium in jewellery. And although the composer added a mordent subtitle of wit, by calling it, ‘A Volcanic Ash Lullaby’, this was in fact a very serious work from a very serious and original thinking compositional voice. Future collaborations with Black Dyke are in the pipeline and on this evidence they are eagerly anticipated.”