Coalescence (2019)

Commissioned by the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra
Premiered 19th September at Philharmonic Hall, conducted by Vasily Petrenko

c. 12”30 ww: 3333 (fl3=pic. cl3 db. bass., bsn3=ctra) brass: 4331, perc: 4+timp+hp, strings

An arrangement for windband is also available

Programme Notes

Coalescence explores the concept of humans versus nature, and how over the centuries I feel our species has attempted to ‘outsmart’ nature in many ways. It was originally inspired after walking past an enormous tree, that evidently over the decades had grown in and around a solid metal railing that had been built into the pavement in central London. The piece features real church bells, which signify the warning signs given to us by nature, and the work explores humans ignoring these warnings (with short brass interjections representing humans being both ignorant and resistant to accepting our climate crisis). There is a playful-like dialogue between the two, and almost like a game, the different elements bounce off each other in both playful and serious ways. I would like to deeply thank the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra, and in particular Sandra Parr and Andrew Cornall for this incredible commission - it is a great honour to work with this orchestra again. 

Subsequent Performances

22/09/2019 - Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra, conducted by Vasily Petrenko
12/03/2021 - NCPA Orchestra of China, Bei Jing, conducted by Lü Jia *Asian Premiere
13/03/2021 - NCPA Orchestra of China, Bei Jing, conducted by Lü Jia
3/01/2022 - National Youth Orchestra of Great Britain, conducted by Sian Edwards *London Premiere
15/10/2022 - Cambridge Philharmonic Orchestra, conducted by Harry Sever
21/10/2022 - Chetham’s Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Timothy Redmond
06/02/2023 - City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Lee Reynolds KS2 concerts
06/02/2023 - City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Lee Reynolds
07/02/2023 - City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Lee Reynolds
07/02/2023 - City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Lee Reynolds
08/02/2023 - City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Lee Reynolds
08/02/2023 - City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Lee Reynolds
08/02/2023 - City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Lee Reynolds
07/03/2023 - The Hallé - KS2 concerts
07/03/2023 - The Hallé
08/03/2023 - The Hallé
08/03/2023 - The Hallé
09/03/2023 - The Hallé
09/03/2023 - The Hallé
27/03/2026 - Philharmonie Sudwestfalen, Germany, conducted by Christian Schumann
15/04/2026 - Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Mark Wigglesworth
16/04/2026 - Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Mark Wigglesworth

please note that some performances may not be included in this list

Reviews

Thoroughly Good
BachTrack
Seen and Heard International
Cambridge Edition