Ashening

This piece is built from three folk songs and hymn tunes. Some of these songs and tunes belong to the North East and North Yorkshire, and have been played and sung in the area for decades; others are characteristic of my experience playing and learning music on Teesside in the 2000s and early 2010s.
Each movement transforms one of these ‘source’ songs. Some transformations are relatively direct and perceptible; some are many layers deep, with the final sound-world being far removed from the source. Nonetheless, even if they are very hidden, traces of melody, harmony, and musical energy are carried through from the source songs, and these traces shape all aspects of the final work.
To assist with rehearsal, three orchestrated arrangements of the source works are included as appendices. *These appendices are not for performance* –they are included to provide the orchestra members with deeper insight into the construction of the work. This should in turn allow the performers to better understand and fulfil their musical roles during performance.

If you wish to perform this piece, please contact the composer via his website - www.cameronmcarthur.com