Partita

Partita by Sally Beamish is a 24-minute work for string octet in three movements (Prelude, Fugue and Chaconne). Taking the idea of a Partita, which is traditionally a suite for a solo instrument, Sally Beamish treats the string octet as a single entity – almost like a bowed keyboard – as well as being an ensemble of soloists. Each movement reworks a fragment of Bach, Handel and Mendelssohn in turn, with the final movement having eight variations, each featuring a different member of the octet.

Commissioned by the Academy of St Martin in the Fields, one of two works written during Sally Beamish’s residency with the Academy. The world premiere was given by the Academy of St Martin in the Fields Chamber Ensemble, at the River Center for the Performing Arts in Columbus, Georgia (USA), on the 4th of October 2019.