Reaching Out

In writing Reaching Out I wanted to create a work where the musical argument was based on rhythm, dynamics and phrasing, on a level equal to that of, say, a string quartet, rather than merely exploiting the instruments’ tonal characteristics. I have limited my choice of percussion as much as possible, and specifically to instruments of indefinite pitch. The inspiration for the title was sparked by suggestions from the work’s sponsor, British Telecom, concerning the progress achieved through the expansion of telecommunications in Scotland, and to the islands in particular. I began to imagine the different instruments as small islands, gradually ‘reaching out’ and communicating with each other, becoming more rapid and complex as the piece progresses. In another sense there is also the physical reaching out by the performer. The work begins with quiet playing of bongos in the centre of a semicircle; as the music progresses the performer moves to the adjacent drums in both directions, eventually ‘reaching out’ to encompass all the instruments.

David Horne

Reproduction Rights
This programme note can be reproduced free of charge in concert programmes with a credit to the composer