Composed and Performed by Elliot Corner, aged 18. Recorded, mixed and uploaded on 30th January, 2013 in Christ's Hospital's Concert Hall ('Big School').
This piece is an Elegy, a song of mourning. It is dedicated to the memory of Mr Michael Mercer, the man who left me a Viola, and initially inspired me to take the instrument up.
Without him, I would not be going to the Royal College of Music next year. This music speaks for itself in terms of expression.
The full range of the viola is exploited, from the very lowest note in the range to the highest note feasibly possible. The anguished higher passages (I apologise for the tuning) contrast greatly with the sonority and pathos of the lower range of the viola. The large gap at 2:50 is written as a pause bar, providing a break in the music, and conveniently also allows time to put on the mute.
I hope you appreciate this piece, as it is incredibly personal and possibly the most intense piece I have written for Solo Viola. |