URBANITIES (2001)

Five Pieces for Harpsichord.

Bill Stickers Will Be Prosecuted!

Cold Air Baffles

Slippery When We

Slow! Loose Chippings

Heavy Plant Crossing

This piece is composed for a five-octave, double-manual instrument. Colouration is at the discretion of the performer.

I wrote these pieces over several days while living on the Isle of Skye in December 2001. I composed them simply because I love the sound of the harpsichord. My partner suggested a selection of titles that resonated with me, and I intuitively matched each one to a piece. This doesn’t make them programmatic works, as they were composed as abstract music, although I understand that knowing the titles might lead them to be perceived that way.

The set is dedicated to my friend, Richard Stanbrook.