'Coherent and compelling... a moving response.’   Tempo

Instrumentation

3(III=picc).3.3(II=ebcl.III=bcl).2.cbsn – 4.3.2.btrbn.1 – timp – perc(3): glsp/xyl/t.bells/hi-hat/siz.cym/splash.cym/2 susp.cym (medium & large)/2 tgl/mark tree/glass chimes/5 c.bells/jingles(sistrum)/pair small caxixi shakers/medium caxixi shaker/cabasa/gourd(shekere)/2 whips/waterphone/sand-paper blocks/2 ocean drums (medium & large)/thunder sheet (very large)/tam-t/4 tom-toms/snare drum/2 BD (large & small) – harp – strings

Availability

Score and parts for hire

Reviews

‘Davies’s ear for texture is canny. Brass players breathe roughly, rhythmically into their mouthpieces – gasps for air, or the sound of a building exhaling in collapse? Either way, it’s horribly evocative, music denatured, reduced to naked sound. Glinting, metallic stillness dominates the first movement.’
The Artsdesk (Alexandra Coghlan), 26 July 2018
 

‘A coherent and compelling 25-minute structure that wisely emphasises reflection on this tragic subject rather than any attempt to portray it directly, this work burst with the alluring textures now expected of this composer, offering a panoply of spotlit moments for different solo instruments – not least the horn… A moving response…’
Tempo (Keith Potter), January 2019

 

What Did We See?

BBC 4 (United Kingdom)

BBC Philharmonic Orchestra/Ben Gernon

What Did We See?

repeat - afternoon concert

BBC Radio 3 (United Kingdom)

BBC Philharmonic Orchestra/Ben Gernon

What Did We See?

Royal Albert Hall (London, United Kingdom)

BBC Philharmonic Orchestra/Ben Gernon

What Did We See?

live broadcast

BBC Radio 3 (United Kingdom)

BBC Philharmonic Orchestra/Ben Gernon