David Sawer
Flesh and Blood
Short instrumentation: 3 3 3 3 - 5 3 3 1 - timp(2), perc(4), hp(2), cel, str
Duration: 30'
Text von: Howard Barker
Solos:
mezzo-soprano
baritone
Instrumentation details:
1st flute
2nd flute
3rd flute (+picc)
1st oboe
2nd oboe
3rd oboe (+c.a)
1st clarinet in Bb
2nd clarinet in Bb
3rd clarinet in Bb (+bass cl(Bb))
1st bassoon
2nd bassoon
3rd bassoon (+cbsn)
1st horn in F
2nd horn in F
3rd horn in F
4th horn in F
5th horn in F
1st trumpet in Bb
2nd trumpet in Bb
3rd trumpet in Bb
1st trombone
2nd trombone
3rd trombone
bass tuba
1st timpani
2nd timpani
1st percussion
2nd percussion
3rd percussion
4th percussion
celesta
1st harp
2nd harp
violin I
violin II
viola
violoncello
double bass
Sawer - Flesh and Blood for mezzo-soprano, baritone and orchestra
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Translation, reprints and more
David Sawer
Sawer: Flesh and BloodOrchestration: für Mezzosopran, Bariton und Orchester
Type: Klavierauszug (Sonderanfertigung)
Language: Englisch (Großbritannien)
David Sawer
Sawer: Flesh and BloodOrchestration: für Mezzosopran, Bariton und Orchester
Type: Studienpartitur (Sonderanfertigung)
Language: Englisch (Großbritannien)
David Sawer
Sawer: Flesh and BloodOrchestration: für Mezzosopran, Bariton und Orchester
Type: Dirigierpartitur
Language: Englisch (Großbritannien)
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Work introduction
This new work, with words by the British playwright and poet Howard Barker, is about the parting of a soldier from his mother. It begins with the soldier expressing his dread and anxiety and wish for love and concealment, but as the scene develops this is revealed to be part of a ritual in which the soldier eventually insists that his mother send him to his death because she created him and therefore only she can dispose of him.
The conclusion is that she does then send him away, knowing he will never return, or only as a body. It is therefore shown that it is the mother (rather than, conventionally, the soldier) who makes the supreme sacrifice of their flesh and blood.
The music for the mother is at first lyrical and expressive, and that for her son more rhythmic and driven. As the piece develops, the two types of music gradually swap over.
David Sawer
Please note that this text is not to be used as a programme note.