Graham Fitkin - Circuit

Circuit

for two solo pianos and orchestra

(2002)

Graham Fitkin

Instrumentation Piccolo Flutes 1 & 2 Oboe 1-3 Clarinet 1 & 2 (Bb) Bass Clarinet (d. Clarinet) Bassoon 1 & 2 Horn 1-4 (F) Trumpets 1-3 (Bb) Trombone 1 & 2 Bass Trombone Tuba Timpani Solo Piano 1 & 2 Strings

Notes For Performance 1.

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The piece is in one movement The written dynamic range runs from ppâ?Łto fff.

Rhythmic precision is vital.

Dynamic balancing of orchestra to pianos and also within the orchestra will be dependent on hall, acoustics and instrumental positioning. So although mixed dynamics have been marked to indicate balance the dominance of instruments is left to the discretion of the conductor.

Duration: c.20 mins Circuit was commissioned by the BBC for Kathryn Stott, Noriko Ogawa and the BBC Philharmonic Orchestra and was premiered on March 21st 2003 in the Bridgewater Hall as part of the 2003 Piano Festival in Manchester, conducted by Jason Lai. The piece is like a grid. The music is plotted quite precisely. It is constructed from five different musical blocks which are juxtaposed throughout the piece. The overall grid therefore contains different systems and rules which operate only within the mini-grid of each block. However the system of one block begins to affect its neighbouring music and as the piece progresses there is increasing standardisation of rules.