The Beauty of Decay (2020)
for chamber ensemble
fl. cl. perc. pno. strings (1.1.1.1.1)
Approx. Duration: 7’30”
Written for the Manson Ensemble, first performed at the Royal Academy of Music, London, conducted by Christopher Austin 30/10/2020
‘‘The Beauty of Decay’ (2020) for chamber ensemble is inspired by the exhibition of the same name by Rebecca Louise Law (2016) in which she created an installation of natural materials, namely 8000 hanging flowers, which gradually wilt and decay until they are preserved as dried flora. The piece is influenced by the contrast between the delicate, beautiful and ethereal quality of the flowers, with the gritty reality of their faded and deteriorated state. As the exhibition has an almost interactive aspect to it as viewers can move around the space, be enveloped by the cascade of suspended flowers, or step back and perceive the value of the transitioning material as a whole, the piece takes on a non-linear structure in conjunction with the experience of the artwork. The return to the more delicate material at the end of the piece signifies that beauty has been found amongst the decay.’ ©G.E.M.2020
©Cover Image: 'Beauty of Decay' Painting by Grace-Evangeline Mason 2020