Senior Orchestra

Programme notes

Higgins Fired Through an Emerald Cannon Gives Birth to the Universe

‘Higgins Fired Through an Emerald Cannon Gives Birth to the Universe’ is a piece for orchestra and sampled piano. Sampling (in this case) describes the process of recording an instrument, note by note, and creating a digital simulacrum which can be played using a keyboard. The recorded piano in question here is our upright piano at home; a rather honky-tonk instrument found on ‘Freecycle’ that has ‘J. Steele Higgins’ (a turn of the century piano dealership in Rochdale) imprinted on the front. My friend Ellis had always expressed an interest in fixing it up, however sadly never got the chance. I thought it would be a fitting tribute to feature the instrument in my piece written for the Macclesfield Symphony Orchestra. The music is frenetic and askew in its outset and turns several corners before settling in its course to conclusion.

Programme notes provided by Henry Rankin, Composer, October 2024

New World Symphony

Adagio - Allegro molto
Largo
Scherzo - Molto vivace
Allegro con fuoco 

In 1891, Mrs. Jeanette Thurber, founder of the National Conservatory of Music of America, offered Dvorák the Directorship of her Conservatory, which he accepted (1892– 95). He composed the "New World" Symphony between December 1892 and May 1893; much of it was written during a visit to a Bohemian immigrant community in Spillville, Iowa. 

The first movement's main theme, hinted at in the introduction, is boldly stated by French horns in the ensuing Allegro, and bassoons and clarinets take it up. After a transition passage (flutes, oboes), flute and then violins present the second theme. Although this melody resembles the Afro-American spiritual Swing Low, Sweet Chariot, it is original – Dvorák never used any genuine American folk-tunes in this symphony.  

The Largo's main theme is an exquisitely beautiful, serene cor anglais melody with string accompaniment. William Fisher, one of Dvorák’s pupils, later added words to create the famous song Going Home. Flute and oboe subsequently introduce two subsidiary ideas, and the main theme returns to complete the movement. 

Flute and oboe, then clarinet, present the Scherzo's sprightly first theme. Flute and oboe also play the gentle second subject. After two lively Trios, in E major and C major, the opening theme recurs. In the coda, French horns recall the opening Allegro's main theme.  

After a brief introduction, trumpets and French horns proudly proclaim the finale's majestic main theme. After a transition section, the clarinet, over tremolo strings, plays the second subject in triplets. The development section, which works out both main themes, recalls several subjects from all three earlier movements. In the recapitulation, the themes of the finale are restated. The coda recalls earlier ideas once more, the movement builds to a powerful climax, and the symphony ends with a blaze of orchestral colour that fades away via a lengthy diminuendo chord.

Programme notes provided by Ted Wilks, June 2009