Elemental

Elemental

Aether – Earth – Water - Wind - Fire 

Elemental is a musical representation of the classical elements typically referred to in various ancient cultures as Earth, Water, Wind or Air, Fire and later Aether. These elements were proposed to explain the nature and complexity of all matter in terms of simpler substances. In this piece the five elements are woven together in a series of connected musical sections.

Elemental was commissioned by the North Wales International Music Festival and the Thomas Howell Education Fund for the Young Musicians Instrumental Workshop that took place during the 2019
‘Mother Earth’ Festival.

The piece begins with Aether in a spectral soundscape representing the empty space from which the Earth emerges. Seismic rhythms in the brass and a rising motif in the lower wind and strings gives the impression of the Earth beginning to form, leading to a melody that feels like it comes from the core of the Earth. This melody rises and grows in intensity, supported by a repeating ostinato that propels the orchestra to a thunderous climax.

This explosion of sound commences the Water section, which features a gentle trickling melody in the harps and flutes. The music becomes more unsettled as it moves into the Wind section. Rapid changes in dynamic and timbre as well as jangling chimes develop into a flurry of competing cries across the orchestra. These gradually dissipate only to be interrupted by a sudden shift in tempo as a fiery dance takes off at speed, not relinquishing its energy as the orchestra careers to the finish.