In Portuguese (my mother tongue), there are two different words for light; Leve meaning weightlessness and Luz meaning luminosity. In this programme, I am looking into exploring light in musical terms, referring to aspects of touch, state of being and luminosity .
The initial spark for this idea came when I was practicing Ruth Crawford’s Prelude n. 8 – Leggiero, and Schoenberg’s Little Piece Op. 19 n. 1 – Leicht, zart (Light, delicate), which are fast pieces exploring lightness of touch, and will integrate the first section of the concert.
In another section of the programme, I would like to reflect about lightness as an emotional state, as in John Palmer’s Shambhala, which refers to ‘an imaginary place of peace and happiness dwelt by enlightened people’.
Michael Taplin’s Wax Candles opens a new section in the programme connecting the theme of Leve/Luz both in regards to lightness of touch and light as a sonic colour, bringing these elements together in one piece.
The final part of the concert reflects on light as the luminous phenomenon, with Thomas Adès’ Darknesse Visible integrating this section with references to darkness, or an absence of light.
This concert is to honour the Winter Solstice, a time to renew hope with the return of light in longer days in the North Hemisphere.
This concert will be at the Great Hall at the beautiful Abbey Sutton Courtenay. Attendance is by donation at the concert. We suggest £15 for a concert of this quality but all are welcome and proceeds support the Abbey Sutton Courtenay, a registered charity. 8 – 25 years old attend free.
7:30pm
The Abbey Sutton Courtenay
The Green
Abingdon
OX14 4AF
tel: 01235 847401
email: admin@theabbey.uk.com
Directions here
light, leve, luz
Késia Decoté – piano & toy piano
PROGRAMME
[lightness of touch]
– Arnold Schoenberg Leicht, zart (Light, delicate) – from Six Little Piano Pieces Op. 19 (1911)
– Ben Gaunt – Light Spellsphere, for toy piano (2019)
– Ruth Crawford-Seeger – Preludes 8 (Leggiero), for piano (1924)
[lightness of being]
– Yfat Soul Zisso – Para a frente, for toy piano (2018)
– John Palmer – Shambhala, for piano (1990)
– Silvia Berg – El sueño… el vuelo, for piano (2010)
[light – luz]
– Michael Taplin – Wax Candles, for piano (2018)
– Yfat Soul Zisso – Full Moon, for toy piano (2019)
– Max Gibson – Night over Berstane, for toy piano & piano (2017)
– Thomas Adès – Darknesse Visible, for piano(1992)
– Marisa Rezende – Miragem, for piano (2009)
Many special thanks to Charlotte Lepport, Dylan Thomas, Michael Taplin and Yfat Soul Zisso.
