ABLAZE THE MOON (2023)
for orchestra
Duration: 5 minutes
Commissioned by BBC Radio 3
First performed by BBC Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Mark Wigglesworth, July 18th 2023 as part of the BBC Proms at the Royal Albert Hall, London.
‘ABLAZE THE MOON’ (2023) for orchestra is inspired by the poem ‘Tonight’ by the American lyric poet, Sara Teasdale (1884-1933). The melodies in the piece follow the lines of the poem, which are full of vivid descriptions and begin ‘The moon is a curving flower of gold, the sky is still and blue; The moon was made for the sky to hold, and I for you.’
In this short concert opener, the image of the moon as a flower of gold hanging in a dark sky is alluded to by atmospheric passages that begin in the circling woodwinds. These are contrasted with deep punctuations in the strings suggesting the vast darkness that surrounds it. These forceful interjections ignite the woodwinds to intersperse, fall, and spiral, momentarily accentuating the inky backdrop of the sky. The music drives forward through the expanse, with the horns and brass building the texture, until the piece opens out into an ethereal, and celestial space as ‘the sky is luminous; eternity was made for them, to-night for us.’ ©G.E.M.2023
©Cover Image: 'Moon Ablaze' Digital Painting by Grace-Evangeline Mason 2023
“Impressionist string phrases hovering over penumbral dissonances suggest moonlight in darkness. It’s quietly effective, and was beautifully done.”
“well-crafted”
“Sensuous and intriguing”
“atmospheric and expressive”
“for such a short piece it crystalises enormous textures into something that is entirely persuasive.”
“The curtain raiser was Grace-Evangeline Mason’s carefully coloured and cannily orchestrated Ablaze the Moon, a love poem with a starry dimension.”
“With lush strings cocooning flowing woodwind lines, this five-minute evocation of love and the night sky has charm in spades. Woozy trombone glissandi and a delicate stippling of tuned percussion pierce an iridescent soundscape rich in nocturnal romance.”