Manhattanhenge

Manhattanhenge was written for the oboist Emilia Gahan, and is a miniature showpiece

designed to showcase the lyrical, virtuosic and extended technical capabilities of the oboe.

The term ‘Manhattanhenge’ was coined by astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson to describe a

particular phenomenon that happens in New York. Due to the east-west grid system of the

streets in Manhattan combined with the earth’s rotation around the sun, there are two days

every year where the rising sun is perfectly framed by the skyscrapers and the whole city is

bathed in light.

I was inspired to write Manhattanhenge when looking at amazing photos and videos of this

spectacle online; though I have visited New York, it has never been on a Manhattanhenge

day! The piece depicts a Manhattanhenge morning; it starts in murky, misty twilight and we

witness the first rays of the sun peeking over the horizon. We hear a lone busker and the

matutinal chirrups of the birds of Central Park. Gradually, a whirlwind of celebratory

excitement is whipped up, culminating in tourists holding selfie sticks aloft and taxi drivers

honking their horns as they all exult in the risen sun on this most unique of mornings.

Musically, I’ve tried to find that uniquely ‘New York’ sound, and maybe to push the oboe

into a more jazzy, soulful territory than it is accustomed to. I’ve also tried my best to channel

my two favourite New Yorkian Steves: Reich and Sondheim – the true masters of the cool

ostinato!