Boosey & Hawkes
Urizen is a virtuoso work for viola and piano, based on one of William Blake’s prophetic books.
It was originally written for Paul Silverthorne and, following the first of many performances, was broadcast by him on BBC Radio 3. Urizen has been performed on many occasions worldwide, including International Viola conventions in the Isle of Man and New York.
Distinguished performances in the USA include two in a version with string orchestra given by Nardo Poy and the Orpheus Chamber Orchestra, and a ballet version danced in Chicago. Patricia McCarty has broadcast the piece in America and has also given many concert performances – including at the Carnegie Recital Hall and the string orchestra version at the International Viola Convention.
Yuko Inoue performed Urizen at the Wigmore Hall in October 1996, and twice in Japan and to broadcast it there on NHK radio.
Urizen has recently been recorded by Paul Silverthorne and John Constable and was released in 2001 by Black Box Music on the CD ‘Invocations" [BBM 1058]