bringing in the sheaves...

Written for the Quadra Quartet, bringing in the sheaves... was composed following lots of reading of Christopher Caudwell. One element of his

philosophical writings which fascinated me was discussions about how art reflects the environment and the society within which it is born. What

is often described as 'ethnomusicology' or 'ethnic music' often overlooks the fascinating nature of this music which draws me in. Alongside this,

my love and fascination with Berlioz' Harold in Italy, what my teacher famously referred as the 'greatest concerto that never was...'

When trying to draw these factors together, I was reminded of the wonderful Methodist hymn which has the rousing chorus 'bringing in the

sheaves, bringing in the sheaves, we shall go rejoicing, bringing in the sheaves'. The hymn composed for harvest, clicked something inside me.

Namely, when music is used withinritual and work we have two worlds namely music for while we work, and music for after work. This gave the

structure of the 'concerto'.

Exploring international folk traditions like sutartin?s, though not quoting - but drawing on their constructive nature, the we get two movements

which have this universal commonality: either music that traditionally happens before or during work, and a music that is used to celebrate after.

The solo quartet, act as leaders of each of these independent groups, and lead us the audience on this universal journey.

Thanks to support from the Britten Pears Foundation, the work was composed during an intensive residency at the Cosy Nook, Red House, Aldeburgh in

September 2020.