Salad Undressing (Digital Download)

*Contemporary Piece.* Lively rhythmic piece with asymmetrical metres and beguiling melodies. MD

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1. Moderato
2. Gently
3. Lilting
4. Presto

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_Score 12 pp. Parts 6 pp. Downloadable PDF file – 635 Kb._

OMP094 Benjamin ThornSalad Undressing

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This charmingly titled, four-movement work was written for Jodie Goldney and Georg Martens-Moussa. The first movement begins with a highly melismatic Moderato, where the recorder weaves over a pedal C with pizzicato Gs in the ‘cello. After ten bars this makes way for Presto in 7/8 with such a breathless feel to it; especially where the division of the 7 beats alters from 3+2+2 to 2+2+3 and back again!

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The second movement is marked “Gently” and, although in 8/8, has a strong Siciliana feel to it. As with the opening movement, thorough and careful counting is essential to achieve a satisfactory ensemble with the ‘cello. As the movement progresses the quavers give way to predominantly semiquaver motion. This is followed by the third movement, a lilting 6/8. Like the rest of the piece this has a key signature of 3 flats, but this has a more modal character to its C minor home and is therefore very folk song-like. The finale is another Presto, but with a 9/8 time signature. However, this is a 9/8 with a difference – many of the bars are divided into a 3/4 + 3/8 rhythm. This provides tremendous rhythmic drive and tension.

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Salad Undressingis certainly a well-conceived piece for players with a secure technique and sure-footed rhythmic awareness. I imagine that this excellent new work will receive many exciting performances in concerts and festivals over the next few years.

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Adam J Dopadlik, The Recorder Magazine, Autumn 2003

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OMP094 Benjamin ThornSalad Undressing

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Except for the opening section of the first movement (which offers an enchanting, highly ornamented cadenza a la Greek wedding music, played by the recorder over the ‘cellos drone), Thorn’sSalad Undressingis a true duet with both instruments as equal partners. The entire piece is in c minor and has an exciting odd-meter dynamism typical of many of Thorn’s works. Though the content of the four movements is fairly similar, each will have a different impact upon the listener due to their differences in tempo.

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The edition is very good, and the music is worth checking out.