Bright Future ignoring Dark past

Michael Finnissy

Commission made possible by Louise Woods

Level:

Piece length: 3' 30"
Scored for: Piano, Violin, Cello
Publisher: OUP

William Howard’s invitation to contribute a piece to Chamber Music 2000 came with the suggestion that it also take an overtly ‘political’ slant.

It also coincided with one of the periodic outbursts of optimistic blathering from Westminster about the ‘bright future’ for Britain’s schools.

The thematic material of the opening contains references to the late nineteenth century song “What shocking hard times” (violin and ‘cello), and to two Methodist hymns: “Bright, Glory Land” and “Dark is the Night” (piano). The remainder of the piece is an exploration of their various possible juxtapositions.

Michael Finnissy