Bugs for Solo Harp
Bugs Op. 93
Solo Harp 11'
Commissioned by the Royal Academy of Music Harp Department
First performed by Catrin Finch at the Royal Academy of Music Harp Showcase November 2003 .
I. "Late-night Ant-ics"
II. "The lonely Locust"
III. "Mosquito Massacre"
The Lonely Locust is sad and lonely, contemplating on what might have
been: the missed feast and the longing to rejoin the swarming multitude.
He reflects on his sorry plight in a lilting, melancholic lament making
extensive use of sharp harmonic twists and shifts.
Rapid bisbigliando effects and avant-garde techniques including
glissandi with the tuning key characterise the concluding Mosquito
Massacre. As the title implies, there
is great drama afoot........but to reveal more would spoil the
conspiracy: suffice to say, there are numerous surprises in store as the
mosquitoes head for combat!
Notes by Paul Pellay.
Bugs may be viewed as a sequel to Paul Patterson's earlier harp piece, Spiders (1985).
The Royal Academy of Music's Harp Department, keen to have a second solo
piece from Patterson, commissioned him to write a new work for its Harp
Gala Day on 27
November 2003.
Bugs is a three-movement showpiece encompassing a number of stylistic
idioms. Its somewhat humorous name and movement titles suggest that it
is a lighthearted work
taking a sideways look at the fate of three much-maligned little
creatures: the ant, the
locust and the mosquito!
Each
movement explores many different and wide-ranging harp techniques. The
opening "Late-night Ant-ics is set as a cortège with the ants making
their relentless
passage in a cool, carefree manner, with an unexpectedly groovy
disposition! With its heavy swing beat, jazz-inflected harmonies and
pedal pitch bends, this movement sports an alluring attitude!