Études 1-4

Études Nos. 1 & 2 (2010) Commissioned by Sarah Hill:

• Étude 1: – Glissandi – upwards, downwards and in contrary motion – evoke the sounds of jet engines, formula one cars and Jimi Hendrix’s performance of ‘Star Spangled Banner’.
• Étude 2: – A cycle of quavers played pizzicato has its timings twisted and bent out of shape to become stuttering, rushed and erratic.

Etudes 3 & 4 (2014) Commissioned by the London Sinfonietta:

• Étude 3: – This étude is obsessive, strident and dissonant – as loud, accented notes gradually become infected by chains of semiquavers.
• Étude 4: – The most unusual of the four études – using a novel technique, the violinist sustains hushed three-note chords in a serene and meditative atmosphere.