Auburn Dusk
Auburn Dusk was originally composed during the summer of 2021 for a Young Musicians Workshop at the North Wales International Music Festival in St Asaph Cathedral, and then later expanded into its current form. The piece is a Scherzo and therefore divided into three sections, beginning with a simmering fast moving rhythmic idea in the violins. Each section of the orchestra joins steadily, each adding their own idea into the mix mimicking the idea of different shades of light dancing among cloud formations at dusk. The texture continues to build before erupting into a bold and joyous melody which evokes the auburn colours of sunset.
As this idea begins to die down a new funky folk section emerges based on the melody of 'Tôn y Melinydd' (The Miller’s Tune). This folk melody was used by William Mathias in his settings of ‘4 Welsh Folksongs’ for voice and piano. It was important that this new piece referenced Mathias to recognise his achievements as the founder of the NWIMF 50 years ago. The section has a strong rhythmic feel most clearly heard in the dynamic percussion and col legno string lines.
As soon as the excitement climaxes it immediately begins drifting into a mist of clustered harmonics from the lower strings and vibraphone. Cutting through the shroud the violins emerge tentatively reintroducing the original motif. The final section culminates in a joining of the 'Aubrun Dusk' and 'Tôn y Melinydd’ melodies, whereby the folk melody acts as slow countermelody in the celli and bass to contrast with the fast moving light theme above in the violins.
Performed by the BBC National Orchestra of Wales in May 2022 as part of Composition Wales 2022
