Spinnaker (2001) for large chamber ensemble
1(dbl.picc)111 1110 perc.(1 or 2 players), cel., hp., strings (min.11111)
Duration: 7'
Program Notes:
Based on a childhood memory, the meditative Spinnaker recounts the excitement and power of raising the large sail on a racing sailboat. After the sail is up, the constant, deliberate tug-of-war ends with the wind proving to powerful for a young boy’s grip, leaving him in awe and admiration of the struggle. A first draft was written of the piece in Aldeburgh, England during July of 2000 and first performed that summer at the Snape Maltings Concert Hall. It was augmented and adapted for the first movement of my Violin Concerto and subsequently the original version was revised as well to reflect those changes. The current version was premiered in the 2001 Aldeburgh Festival with the composer conducting the Britten Pears Contemporary Ensemble.