• Justin Connolly
  • Gymel–B, Op. 39/II (1997)
    (...on planet X with CN...)

  • Novello & Co Ltd (World)
  • cl/vc
  • 14 min

Programme Note

GYMEL–B is one of a set of four pieces related by the idea of twinship: the word ‘gymel’ is an old English term for duet, deriving from the Latin for ‘twin’. Two of the pieces are for performers who are themselves twins, and the other two are for instruments whose twinship is of the fraternal rather than the identical type. Such is clearly the case with clarinet and cello: they are different in timbre, while overlapping in range; but each displays such varied tonal qualities within their own sound-world as to show a similar tendency to overlap in the dimension of timbre as well.

This built-in complexity of relationship between instruments is symbolised by the deliberately enigmatic subtitle of the work: “On Planet X with CN”. CN is the American composer Conlon Nancarrow, to the relentless rhythmic style of whose player-piano studies my own piece pays an affectionate tribute, without venturing upon any direct imitation. Nancarrow’s own Study X, also a two-voiced work, plays with relating range to speed: the expressive result is in its own terms absolutely exhilirating, rather like Scarlatti re-lived in terms of Varèse. For my own part, I wanted to extend such dimensional conflicts into other areas of contrast, and so found myself on another Planet X, where by a happy chance, CN is my companion.

GYMEL–B is in four movements of roughly equal length, and lasts some 14 minutes.

 

Justin Connolly

Discography