Description
Composer’s note:-
This work was written in early February 2021 and is a revision for string
orchestra of my earlier Sonatina for harpsichord (B132). Having changed the piece
before, to do so again made the title seemed appropriate as it was written during
the Covid lockdown.
And before you ask - no, I haven’t read Ovid’s Metamorphoses.
There are four short movements. The first and last are structured in the style of
Scarlatti, with both halves to be repeated. They are both fast movements using
Scarlatti-style figures mixed with modern harmonies. The second, slow,
movement and the third, a minuet and trio, are both more satirical and poke fun
at the forms of the mid-eighteenth century with some deliberately banal
melodies. Later revised for flute and string trio, and now for string orchestra, I
describe it as being a mixture of the styles of Mozart (Leopold), Scarlatti
(Domenico) and Bach (P.D.Q.) Enjoy!
Duration: Approx. 11 mins.
COLIN BAYLISS was born in Mansfield, Nottinghamshire in 1948. His life-long
love of music led him to compose from an early age and he now has a catalogue
of over a hundred and eighty works including three operas, seven symphonies,
ten concertos, six string quartets, five flute quartets, four piano sonatas and many
other pieces for most instrumental and chamber groupings.
He is a member the Performing Rights Society and was the final Chairman of the
North West Composer’s Association.
As well as writing music himself, he has also compiled annotated catalogues of
the earlier works of Anthony Hedges and Sir Peter Maxwell Davies.
CDs of his piano music played by David Martin, complete organ music played by
Ronald Frost and the highly acclaimed double CD of his six string quartets
played by the Lochrian Ensemble are available on the New Century Classics label.
Please feel free to use these biographical and programme notes in your concert programmes.
The sound sample here is an electronic preview of the short but satirical second movement.
The pdf file includes the harpsichord sonatina, which can be used if desired as a continuo.