Ottorino Respighi (1879-1936), Notturno (1904)

‘Notturno’ is a highly improvisational nocturne. The piece fuses elements of classical antiquity with a bittersweet sentimentality characteristic of 20th century Impressionism. The main melody, mainly pentatonic, is highly memorable and often creeps back into one’s mind.

Thelonious Monk (1917-1982), Ruby, My Dear (1944)

Thelonious Monk names this ballad after his childhood love, Rubie Richardson. It is straight forward in form, A-A-B-A, but this varies in the multiple recordings made since the 1950’s. The music is highly sentimental, with a 7ths and 9ths filling the piece with romance. Characteristic of Monk, a whole tone run makes an appearance before he brings the improvisation to a close.

Andre Mathieu (1929-1968), Prelude No. 5 ‘Prélude Romantique’ (1951)

Andre Mathieu’s life was one of tragedy. His career began as a promising child prodigy, granted the moniker of ‘Canadian Mozart’. Slowly, however, he fell out of the public eye, falling into alcoholism by his mid-twenties. This prelude, arguably a manifestation of his life, opens with a theme evocative of hope, before a harrowing dissonance plagues the middle section. He died impoverished and in obscurity at thirty-nine.

Samuel Francis, Contemporary No. 1 (2023)

After a long walk from Bethnal Green to the National Gallery, and then to this very Performance space (27,699 steps!), I felt highly inspired to write a piece reminiscent of London. I looked to Erik Satie Gymnopedies which, to me, always evoked Parisian scenery. I tried to capture the impression this wonderful city planted in my mind, and the journey I went on that day.