JUDGE SMITH (arr. Michael Brand/Ricardo Odriozola) THE BOOK OF HOURS SUITE (2023)

From the concert at Gunnar Sævigsalen, May 8th 2023
This work is based on the chamber opera “The Book of Hours” by Judge Smith, which ran a series of performances at London’s Young Vic in early summer 1978.
Judge Smith has no desire of reviving the work in its initial form but has used many of its inspired themes in songs and large scale works through the years.
The music of this quintet uses most of the material that Judge Smith had not repurposed earlier. The form of the work was suggested by Judge, who gave me free rein to arrange it in any way I saw fit. Naturally I leaned heavily on Michael Brand’s original string quartet arrangements, letting my fantasy run free when it seemed appropriate, including two significant links in, respectively, the second and third movements.
I - 00:07
II - 06:17
III - 12:34
The composer takes a bow - 18:27
Marina Matsuoka, piano
Ricardo Odriozola
Laura Hampe, violins
Julia Palmer, viola
Karina Medvetska, cello

[@hargrasathope]

Great stuff - well done to all involved!