Simon Hewitt Jones - The Violin Blog

Aug

3

Imogen Holst Preview in London - Tuesday

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I know the blog has been slow recently … lots of boring background work on new repertoire and new projects going on … it’ll be back on full steam again in the Autumn.

We go into the studio next week, and we’re having an informal preview session the afternoon before recording, at the Royal Academy of Music - 4pm this Tuesday (7 Aug). It’s not open to the public, but if you’re interested and would like to come along, drop me a line through the blog and I’ll see if I can keep a space for you.

The programme is String Quintet and ‘Phantasy’ String Quartet, String Trio, Duos for Violin/Cello and Viola/Piano, and ‘The Fall of the Leaf’ - a solo cello piece. We’re privileged to be working with some really great guests on this project, including cellist Oliver Coates and violinist/violist Tom Hankey, as well as the usual suspects.

What’s really interesting about rehearsing and developing all these pieces together is the complete snapshot of a composer’s personal development that emerges. The earliest work was written when IMO (as we have come to know her!) was just 21 years old, still a student at the Royal College of Music. But as the date of composition becomes later and later, you can see how her influences and inspirations change, and the subsequent effects on her musical style are quite dramatic. Interestingly, there’s a distinct move back from the most pungent, dissonant harmonies she uses in the String Trio (1944), and her latest works, written shortly before her death, are more accessible at first glance than some of her writing from, if you like, her ‘middle period’!

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