Synthesis (2013)
(for Solo Guitar)

There is a form of dance music in the classical tradition whose purpose does not require any dancing. And I often wonder what it means, therefore, to listen to dance music while sitting still. Of course, there’s an inner dance that lifts and moves the spirit and I have always been attracted to music of any age or genre that does that.

Synthesis reworks the final movement of Dance Music for Concert Halls (commissioned for Ensemble Liaison by Andrew Johnston to celebrate the 80th birthday of his mother, Stephanie Lillian Johnston). While written originally for clarinet, violin, cello and piano, this particular movement was originally composed at the guitar (while on holiday in Phillip Island) and this adaptation for Ken Murray is therefore not merely an arrangement but a re-interpretation of musical ideas naturally suited to the guitar. The premiere performance was given by Ken Murray on 12 December 2016 at Melba Hall, The University of Melbourne.

Stuart Greenbaum