LUDWIG

LUDWIG (2019)

for piano quintet

pno, 2 vln, vla, vcl

Duration: c. 11 minutes

1. Allegro con brio
2. Adagio sostenuto: delicatissimamente
3. Allegro vivace

The opening section, Allegro con brio, is a reworking of the first movement, much compressed, of Beethoven’s Symphony No 7 in A major, Op. 92. Beethoven’s long ascending scales and low sustained pedal notes have been reorganised whilst the lively dance-like rhythms gain extra vibrancy through adopting Latin American colours.

The second movement, Adagio sostenuto: delicatissimamente, takes a few bars from the opening of Beethoven’s Piano sonata No 14 in C-sharp minor – the so-called “Moonlight” sonata. The celebrated quaver triplet motif is transformed into an interlocking pattern between woodwind instruments followed by a version for strings.

The final movement, Allegro vivace, is based on a few passages from Beethoven’s Fidelio Overture. Beginning with a quiet subterranean intensity, the music develops through sudden dramatic episodes; the unresolved harmony of the original driving it constantly forward in search of a sense of resolution.

First performed on 17 November 2019 at Cardiff University Concert Hall with Giordano Ferla (piano), Christiana Mavron (violin), Rachael Elliot (violin), Niamh Aston (viola), Nicola Thomas (cello)