Shades of Red is a musical conversation about the color red. Its four parts; Carmine, Magenta, Crimson, and Vermilion each showcase a different tonal shade, and reaction-hierarchy between the instruments. The soundtrack extends and mirrors the sound of the instruments and functions as an alter ego of the acoustic sound, confronting the players with a warped version of their own playing. A special role is carved out for the Rhodes and Hammond keyboards, often creating rhythmical markings and impulses that shape the rest of the ensemble.
Instrumentation
for ensemble and soundtrack
2020
1 Flute
1 Clarinet in B-flat
1 Trumpet in C
1 Horn in F
1 Keyboard player (Fender Rhodes, Hammond B3*)
1 Percussion player
2 Violins
1 Violas
1 Violoncellos
1 Double bass (low C string)
Soundtrack (laptop, 1 player)
–
*can be high-quality sampled instruments, like Spectrasonics Keyscape and IK Multimedia Hammond B-3X.
Details
Duration
11′
First performance
22 September 2020
Philharmonie, Cologne, Germany
Commissioned by
Kölner Philharmonie (KölnMusik) for the non bthvn project 2020, London Sinfonietta, and ASKO|Schönberg
Publisher
Boosey & Hawkes
Performances
Last performance
22 February 2024
Shades of Red (UK premiere)
London Sinfonietta, cond. Jack Sheen
Southbank Centre, Purcell Room ,
London,
U.K.