Carl Vine - Smith's Alchemy, for string orchestra

Liner notes:

"Smith's Alchemy" derives from the composer's String Quartet No.3 which was commissioned by the Smith Quartet (London) and first performed by them in 1994 at the Brighton Festival. When the Goldner String Quartet played it at the opening of the Angel Place Recital Hall in Sidney in 2000, its dramatic, virtuoso style caught the ear of Richard Tognetti, Artistic Director of the Australian Chamber Orchestra, and at his request it was rearranged by the composer for chamber orchestra.

'The intention of the original work was to transform four stringed instruments into a single "super" instrument while capitalising on their natural singing qualities - a kind of aural alchemy', the composer says. 'Although the very structure of the original work was predicated on the techniques used to create certain effects, this remains much the same in the new version for string orchestra, and some parts required little amendment. The potential to "share" difficult techniques across more than one instrument has in many ways liberated the music, allowing greater emphasis on its lyric qualities.'

Deeply moving in its slow section (with a prominent solo violin), and with the strings swirling furiously in its outer reaches, "Smith's Alchemy" has an emotional depth and appeal that has seen it hailed as one of Australia's finest concert works for small orchestra.

Category:

Music

Tags:

• carl vine
• smith's alchemy
• string orchestra
• contemporary classical

[k3nd3r]

do you happen to have an online score i could take a look at?