Impromptu Concertant: Icarus Study
violin/viola and orchestra
2016
Commission: Sinfonia Cymru as part Queen Concertante, performed as The Freddie Mercury Project
Duration: 5 minutes
Premiere: June 2016, Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama, Sinfonia Cymru, conductor/soloist Vlad Maistorovici
Orchestra:1.,B-Fl.,1.,Eb Cl.,B-Cl.,C-Bs.;2,1,0,0;2Perc.,Hp.,4Vlins,2Vlas,2Cellos,2D.B.
Score and parts available from the composer.
I composed Icarus Study to be performed as part of QUEENConcertante, a set of original arrangements of songs by Queen for violin/viola, clarinet, piano and chamber ensemble of 23, commissioned by Sinfonia Cymru Cardiff. 'Impromptu' was the generic title to the improvised instrumentals and guitar solos in the band's stadium shows. The piece is performed right in the middle of the playlist (no. 8 out of 15), as an avant-garde tribute, a musical black hole framed by pop jewels. Like the arrangements, it can be performed without conductor, directed from the violin/viola.