Viola Concerto (MacMillan)

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Scottish composer James MacMillan composed his Viola Concerto in 2013. The work was jointly commissioned by the London Philharmonic Orchestra, the Lucerne Symphony Orchestra, the Bergen Philharmonic Orchestra, and the Adelaide Symphony Orchestra. Its world premiere was given by the violist Lawrence Power and the London Philharmonic Orchestra under the direction of Vladimir Jurowski in the Royal Festival Hall, London, on 15 January 2014. The piece is dedicated to Lawrence Power.[1][2]

Composition

The viola concerto has a duration of approximately 31 minutes and is composed in three numbered movements.[1]

Instrumentation

The work is scored for a solo viola and an orchestra consisting of two flutes (2nd doubling piccolo), oboe, cor anglais, two clarinets, bassoon, contrabassoon, four horns, three trumpets, three trombones, tuba, timpani, three percussionists, harp, and strings.[1]

Reception

The viola concerto has been highly praised by music critics. Reviewing the world premiere,

London Evening Standard wrote, "In several respects, MacMillan's concerto refuses to conform to expectations. Muted, brooding timbres make for a surprising opening but suit the viola very well, and a frequently recurring quartet of two violas and two cellos enhances the atmosphere. Similarly resourceful scoring occurs in the finale, where a solo flute invokes the sound world of the Japanese shakuhachi. Also unconventional is the explosive opening of what is otherwise a lyrical slow movement and the viola’s disappearing act at its close."[6]

See also

References

  1. ^ a b c MacMillan, James (2013). "Viola Concerto". Boosey & Hawkes. Retrieved June 2, 2016.
  2. ^ "James MacMillan's new Viola Concerto and early works". Boosey & Hawkes. December 2013. Retrieved June 2, 2016.
  3. ^ Maddocks, Fiona (18 January 2014). "Manon; James MacMillan Viola Concerto – review". The Observer. Guardian Media Group. Retrieved June 2, 2016.
  4. ^ Hewett, Ivan (16 January 2014). "James MacMillan premiere, LPO, Royal Festival Hall, review". The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved June 2, 2016.
  5. ^ Nice, David (16 January 2014). "Power, London Philharmonic Orchestra, Jurowski, Royal Festival Hall: The power of an electrifying new viola concerto is defused in low-wattage Mahler". The Arts Desk. Retrieved June 2, 2016.
  6. London Evening Standard
    . 16 January 2014. Retrieved June 2, 2016.
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