The opening short prologue for solo violin contrasts high ringing bell
sounds with low delicate whispers prior to the entry of the piano with its
stately, slow-moving chords. A faster pulse immerses the violin into a
more agitated world and the ensuing sudden drop of register allows the playful
violin to frolic around with the piano’s short stabs. Both musicians come
to an abrupt halt and the silence which follows is disturbed by sounds plucked
randomly from the air. Suddenly the two players take off with an
energetic rhythmical line whose perpetual motion regularly changes gear.
The concluding epilogue, echoing the opening violin solo, is followed by a
frantic dash to the end.
Statues was commissioned by Katherine Hunka and Sophie Rahman
and premiered in February 2002 in the Wigmore Hall, London. It was
subsequently performed during the 2003 Composers’ Choice series in the
National Concert Hall in Dublin and in 2004, German violinist Isabelle Faust
and French pianist Florent Boffard performed Statues on a
Music Network tour of Ireland. Dublin choreographer and dancer Fiona
Quilligan included Statues in the sound score of her
new show at the Project Arts Centre in Dublin Pas De
Chat. It has been recorded on CD by new music group Lontano as
part of an Arts Council of Northern Ireland initiative.
Simon Hewitt Jones, Recital Review:
“Sophia Rahman’s sympathetic and precise playing came to
the fore in Elaine Agnew’s Statues for violin and piano, a
specially commissioned composition of which this was the world premiere.
The many different effects of this engaging piece were well brought out; again,
greater exaggeration of contrasts would have made for an even more sparkling
performance, but the many juxtapositions were nevertheless played with
eloquence and virtuosity. This was one of the highlights of the evening’s
recital, and was unanimously well received by the capacity audience.”
Rick Jones, Evening Standard:
“Katherine Hunka gave the first performance of Elaine Agnew’s
Statues, a piece that demands fierce
concentration. Brilliant accompanist Sophia Rahman watched Hunka like a
hawk in the stuttering pizzicato passages and paced her like a twin over the
jazz-based running octaves...I am glad I was there”
Hubert Culot, CD Review:
“Elaine Agnew’s music is probably better known, especially her splendid
Strings A-stray for string orchestra (on Black Box BBM 1013 hopefully still
available). Statues, completed in 2001, is a substantial duo
for violin and piano. It opens with a short, pensive prologue for solo violin.
With the piano’s entry, the music becomes more song-like in character and leads
into the central section, actually a moto perpetuo. The epilogue briefly echoes
the opening music. A brief restatement of the moto perpetuo’s music
brilliantly, but abruptly concludes the piece.” |