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David Sawer’s Flesh and Blood in World Premiere

Feb. 01, 2013

David Sawer&rsquo;s <em>Flesh and Blood</em>&nbsp;in World Premiere

David Sawer’s new dramatic scena Flesh and Blood, a stirring exploration of the issue of sacrifice, premieres in London on February 15 with Ilan Volkov and the BBC Symphony Orchestra. Mezzo-soprano Christine Rice and baritone Marcus Farnsworth are the featured soloists for the premiere at the Barbican Centre in London.

The composer writes:

The piece is about the parting of a soldier from his mother. It begins with the soldier expressing his dread and anxiety and wish for love and concealment, but as the scene develops this is revealed to be part of a ritual in which the soldier eventually insists that his mother send him to his death because she created him and therefore only she can dispose of him. The conclusion is that she does then send him away, knowing he will never return, or only as a body. It is therefore shown that it is the mother (rather than, conventionally, the soldier) who makes the supreme sacrifice of their flesh and blood. The music for the mother is at first lyrical and expressive, and that for her son more rhythmic and driven. As the piece develops, the two types of music gradually swap over. (Please note that this text is not to be used as a program note.)

For more concert details visit www.bbc.co.uk.

Learn more about David Sawer at www.universaledition.com.

David Sawer
Flesh and Blood (2011)
dramatic scena for mezzo-soprano, baritone and orchestra
text (En) by Howard Barker
3(3.pic).3(3.ca).3(3.bcl).3(3.cbsn)-5.3.3.1-2timp.4perc-2hp.cel.str
30’

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