During the Sydney 2020 lockdown at the start of the world pandemic, and the regular cancellations of many of my projects, it was a pleasant surprise to receive a beautiful request from the outstanding Benedict Klöckner to write a short solo to be played between the Bach Suites, along with the music of other composers.
The idea for a piece that is “almost” a song and tells “almost” a story got born really quickly. It is also “almost” a waltz, albeit a slow one. I see this piece like a flower bulb that opens up over the course of 2-3 minutes.
Benedict sent me his first reading of the piece the day he received the score. This was such a gift to the composer at the time of no performances. The process of exchanging files between us followed over the course of a couple of weeks. Having an opportunity to adjust a piece in this fluid situation is a favourite way for me to develop a work.
Elena Kats-Chernin
