“Firemusic” commissioned by Australian violist Michelle Pritchard was premiered 23rd April, 8pm at the Doopsgezinde Kerk, Middelburg. and performed again on May 30th at 7.15pm in the Conservatoriumzaal, Amare, Den Hague.
This work, a rhapsodic lamentation for viola (Michelle Pritchard) and piano (Gerard Boeters), is inspired by the tragic and catastrophic fires which ravaged New South Wales in 2020, resulting in the appalling destruction of animal life and the environment.
The following text was included in the program notes for the premiere of the work
“With a view to working with him on a composition for my Master studies, I contacted him at the start of 2021 and proposed we work together on the creation of a new work for viola and piano. Through this “Firemusic” was created.
Here I include a quote from our email correspondence.
“Regarding “Firemusic“ , I think I have just had an inspired idea.. Considering what is happening all over the world with the climate and especially reflecting on the immense tragedy of the 2019-2020 NSW bushfires I thought that after all the violent energy in “Firemusic”, I could finish with a meditation on the destruction of both human and native animal life. I think it would be a great contrast and juxtaposition of ideas."
We shared media pictures of the horrific devastation of the bushfires and had several discussions and “Zoom” workshops whilst the work was being created. I contributedto the creative elements of this work by suggesting certain effects- for example for animal screaming- glissando, portamento and articulation. The draft scores were updated in between each workshop. I would annotate them with the elements we had discussed referencing recordings of our workshops- either audio or visual with my phone or via Zoom recording. These scores were returned to Bowen via email.
“Firemusic” is a lament for nature. It is a one movement work made up of three main sections. Opening with solo viola, the sorrowful lament continues until the piano interjects with “fire” fragments. The middle section represents the fire, as well as the virtuosic writing, the fiery fragments are developed and you can hear sound effects of birds and animals, exhausted, dying, screeching and in pain. This section closes with a duo-cadenza (in both viola and piano). The final section, a meditation including aspects of the opening lament in altered form, accompanied by the piano.