Friday 9 October 2026
6pm
Silk Street Music Hall

Nigel Hess (b. 1953)

East Coast Pictures

British composer Nigel Hess is celebrated for his ability to create vivid musical landscapes, drawing on influences from film, theatre and classical music. In East Coast Pictures, he turns his attention to the eastern seaboard of the United States, creating a suite of three contrasting musical portraits inspired by places he visited during a concert tour.

The opening movement, ‘Shelter Island’, takes its inspiration from the peaceful island situated between the North and South Forks of Long Island, New York. Hess captures its relaxed atmosphere with warm, lyrical melodies and gently flowing textures. The music suggests quiet harbours, open water and the unhurried pace of island life, creating an impression of tranquillity and natural beauty.

The second movement, ‘The Catskills’, depicts the mountainous region of upstate New York long associated with wilderness, folklore and dramatic scenery. Here the music becomes broader and more adventurous, with expansive themes and energetic rhythmic writing evoking rugged landscapes and sweeping vistas. Moments of reflection are balanced by passages of excitement, creating a sense of both grandeur and exploration.

The suite concludes with ‘New York’, a vibrant musical portrait of one of the world's most famous cities. Bright orchestration, driving rhythms and bustling energy convey the excitement, movement and diversity of urban life. Hess’s cinematic flair is particularly evident here, as the music captures both the glamour and relentless momentum of the city, bringing the work to an exhilarating conclusion.

Throughout East Coast Pictures, Hess demonstrates his gift for transforming places into music. The suite offers audiences a journey from the calm of Shelter Island, through the majesty of the Catskills, to the exhilarating energy of New York City, all conveyed through colourful and accessible writing for wind ensemble.

Amanda Harberg (b. 1973)

Concerto for Clarinet and Wind Ensemble

Amanda Harberg’s Clarinet Concerto is a vibrant and expressive work that showcases the clarinet’s remarkable range, from lyrical warmth to dazzling virtuosity. Written in three movements, the concerto blends soaring melodies, rhythmic energy and colourful orchestration in a style that is both contemporary and immediately engaging.

The central movement forms the emotional heart of the work, with the solo clarinet singing over a richly textured accompaniment, while the energetic finale brings the concerto to an exhilarating close. In this version for wind ensemble, Harberg’s vivid musical language finds a natural home, creating a compelling dialogue between soloist and ensemble that highlights both the expressive depth and brilliance of the clarinet.

Caroline Shaw (b. 1982)

Partita for 8 Voices and Wind Ensemble

Partita for 8 Voices (2012) is a groundbreaking a cappella work that earned its composer, Caroline Shaw, the record of youngest recipient of the Pulitzer Prize for Music in 2013. While the work continues to receive performances from its premiere ensemble, Roomful of Teeth, doctoral student Kaitlin Bove made an imaginative transcription, Partita for 8 Voices and Wind Ensemble, and has added a new work to the repertoire of band literature that includes new, esoteric, and proprietary extended technique for wind and percussion instruments.

Partita for 8 Voices and Wind Ensemble has a duration of roughly 25 minutes and is composed of four movements named after Baroque dances:

I. Allemande

II. Sarabande

III. Courante

IV. Passacaglia

Shaw said the piece was inspired by Sol LeWitt’s Wall Drawing 305 and “...our basic desire to draw a line from one point to another.” Some of the lyrics are from textual instructions LeWitt wrote to direct the draftsperson, who does the actual drawing.