‘Y Gogarth’ (2022) for concert orchestra was composed for the WNO Orchestra Summer Tour 2022.
Composers' note:
The main impetus for the work derived from the composers’ view from Beaumaris, Anglesey overlooking the Menai Straits, Snowdonia, Puffin Island and Y Gogarth (The Great Orme). From sunrise to sunset, concept through construction, Y Gogarth stood out and inspired all aspects of the composition. Although the work was first started in Beaumaris 2021, it was completed in Monmouth 2022.
Commissioned by:
The work consists of 3 movements 1. O’r awyr ‘From the sky’ 2. O’r tir ‘From the land’ and 3. Y Geifr Kashmiri ‘The Kashmiri Goats’. The core second movement is flanked by a concert opener and a concert closer thus allowing the work to be performed in any combination if desired. Each movement was built both harmonically and structurally from a height map of Y Gogarth, simply mapped against time (duration) and a piano keyboard. Indeed, every ridge in the outline of Y Gogarth’s rugged landscape became a structural point of importance (a double bar line or time signature change) and dictated the direction of the creative work.
1st Movement - 'From the sky'
‘From the sky’ is an imagined thrill-seeking cable car ride, soaring above and around the headland. Many other adventurous activities around Y Gogarth also inspired this movement - from the ski slopes, water sports and cycling to the more gentle tram journey and various walking paths. Anyone who has arrived at the summit, by any means, knows how steep and awe-inspiring the experience can be. The structure and harmonic content was derived from the Left orthographic view of Y Gogarth height map. It begins energetically with the timpani heralding the insistent string runs (influenced by the cyclic nature of wind turbines) and punchy brass motifs. Woodwinds echo and comment on the string passages. The engine room, however, is provided by cellos and double basses throughout. We arrive at a momentous view with sonorous horns (b. 25) which leads us back to the resolute brass motifs, this time supported by woodwinds (b. 33). After another short build-up, we are presented with an even steeper ascent (b.43) lead by the trombones culminating in a triumphant trumpet theme and ultimately back to the opening fanfare, but this time higher in range (b. 75). After another push to the summit, we eventually arrive, but due to the sudden and almost abrupt end, are left almost immediately seeking the next adventure.
2nd Movement - 'From the land'
Much of the 2nd Movement ‘From the land’ was sketched sitting on the picnic benches on Y Gogarth overlooking St. Tudno Church, towards the wind-turbines and on occasion, where the goats had chosen to sunbathe. The structure and harmonic content was derived from the Right orthographic view of Y Gogarth height map. The movement opens with a lyrical, heart-felt ascending theme in strings. This atmospheric opening also includes some reminiscent echoes of the punchy brass from the 1st movement, heard mainly in horns (b. 16). A rare solo for bass trombone (b. 29) and horn solo (b. 33) herald an intense and emotional passage in strings which eventually builds up to a cloud-like section, lead by the trumpets (b.57). What follows is a dangerous moment on the limestone rocks (b.71) featuring horns, cellos and clarinets in unison. Out of the uncertainty emerges a mysterious passage for flutes and high strings concluding with five F major chords featuring stopped horns accompanied by an unsettling harmonic string tremolo in E minor (b.95). Following a gradual buildup the main emotional core of the work emerges in strings. The movement concludes with a harmonic development of the main theme, firstly in brass, followed by woodwinds and ending with strings.
3rd Movement - 'The Kashmiri Goats'
‘The Kashmiri Goats’ became an internet sensation during the first lockdown taking over the deserted streets of Llandudno. They’re presented here in a comical, head-strong nature. The structure and harmonic content was derived from the Back orthographic view of Y Gogarth height map. The movement opens with a farmers whistle heralding a fanfare-like rendition of a well known traditional Welsh tune ‘Oes Gafr Eto?’ (‘Is there another goat’). This then makes way for a jocose but confident theme in strings and brass (b. 33) only to be interrupted by a trumpet canon of the opening motif (b. 42). Acknowledging the agricultural past and present of Y Gogarth, we hear another canon of a traditional Welsh tune ‘Pant Corlan Yr Ŵyn’ (‘Shearing Time), first presented in the strings (b. 50), whilst woodwinds hark back to the opening motif (b. 58). What unfolds is a cacophony of motifs in the bass instruments (b. 76) which then ultimately leads us back to the opening farmers whistle signalling the final fanfare to end the movement.
Audio extract - virtual instruments mockup
2nd Movement - 'From the land'
This website uses cookies that help the website to function and also to track how you interact with the website / Mae'r wefan hon yn defnyddio cwcis sy'n helpu'r wefan i weithredu a hefyd i olrhain sut rydych chi'n rhyngweithio gyda'r gwefan.