Hard Rain SoloistEnsemble: Piers Hellawell Portrait
Laidlaw Music Centre - University of St Andrews
In a long and distinguished career, Piers Hellawell has produced a body of work characterised by boundless invention, genuine discovery and deep integrity. His enduring creative partnerships are reflected in this programme presented by Hard Rain, with whom he has enjoyed a long-standing collaboration. As one of the UK’s most distinguished Educators (Professor of Composition at Queen’s University of Belfast 1981–2024, and now Honorary Professor of Composition at the University of St Andrews), this concert also showcases two highly talented students of Piers from the past and present. Their works will be performed alongside some of Hellawell’s most celebrated chamber pieces from across the span of his composing career. His music is published by Edition Peters (London) Ltd.
St Andrews New Music Week was established in 2015 with the aim of creating a festival that draws together specialist performers to work with students on the music of emerging and establishing composers from around the world. The festival has given many notable world and territorial premieres and also forged many interdisciplinary connections. Hard Rain are delighted to be featured this year, giving workshops and performances alongside St Andrews’ students and collaborating with Grammy Award-winning Lucy Schaufer for this special portrait concert.
Programme
Fictions (2015)* - Piers Hellawell (1956) flute (piccolo, alto flute), bass clarinet, violin, violoncello, piano.
Copicornua (2020)** - Piers Hellawell (1956) solo horn.
Five Go to Mystery Moor (2017) *** - Daniel Barkley (1989-2018) flute, clarinet, violin, violoncello, piano.
Up By The Roots (2016)**** - Text: Sinéad Morrissey Piers Hellawell (1956) violin, violoncello, piano, reader.
- INTERVAL -
Truth or Consequences (1991)***** - Piers Hellawell (1956) clarinet, violoncello, piano.
Woodsmoke (2023)****** - Piers Hellawell (1956) clarinet, piano.
3 Miniatures by G K Chesterton (2024) - Michael Chamberlain (2003) flute, clarinet, violin, violoncello, piano, mezzo-soprano.
Ground Truthing (2018)******* - Piers Hellawell (1956) flute (piccolo), clarinet (bass clarinet), violin, violoncello, piano.
* Commissioned by Stony Brook Contemporary Chamber Players
** Commissioned by the Royal Academy of Music for their ‘200’ Celebration
*** Finalist in the 2nd Peter Rosser Award
**** Commissioned by Fidelio Trio, with funds from PRSf Beyond Borders
***** Commissioned by Association for Business Sponsorship of the Arts, with funds from BT
****** Commissioned by Francesco Paolo Scola
*******Commissioned by HRSE, with funds from ACNI
Tickets
Free admission.