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:: RHIAN SAMUEL
Rhian Samuel
[Works]
~ [Discography] ~ [Performances]
~ [Brochure - PDF]
The music of Rhian Samuel draws strength from its composer's sensitivity
to local cultural traditions and to contemporary European and American
influences. In her work, melody, rhythm and harmony retain their
time-honoured primacy as fully functioning elements of a committed
and individual musical language, which is distinctive also for its
rich generosity of expression.
Born in Aberdare, Wales, in 1944, Samuel received her education
in Britain and the United States, and taught for a number of years
at the St Louis Conservatory before returning to Britain in 1984
to teach at Reading University, where she was appointed Head of
the Music Department in 1993. She is currently Professor of Music
at London's City University. A highly respected scholar and teacher,
she is co-editor of the New Grove Dictionary of Women Composers,
and the author of several authoritative essays on the stage works
of Sir Harrison Birtwistle.
In her own music, with the exception of the Elegy Symphony,
premiered in 1981 by the St Louis Symphony Orchestra conducted by
Leonard Slatkin, Samuel has so far avoided the standard genres.
Instead, she has preferred to respond directly to the challenge
of creating structures from explicitly poetical impulses, be they
of words themselves or some other stimuli. Her concept of form arises
from two principal sources: texts and their internal and external
tensions both within themselves and with their musical setting;
and - with or without the presence of words as an additional shaping
force - dynamic currents of conflict within the musical action as
sources of tension, drama and resolution. |

Photograph © Malcolm Crowthers, not
to be further reproduced without prior permission |
An important group of pieces within the overall body of her work
relates to writings nuanced by the presence of a woman's point-of-view,
either as lyrical utterance or as narrative, in terms of women 'telling
their own stories'. Of the former category, the song-cycle The
White Amaryllis is exemplary. May Sarton's three reflections
on transience and loss speak with equal eloquence to both genders,
yet their unique voice is inseparable from the poet's experience
of writing from a female perspective. Of the latter, the two movements
of Daughters' Letters, one of Samuel's most popular scores
to date, are explicitly concerned with the plight of a pair of nineteenth-century
women, drawn in scenas of Ibsenesque power by the poet Anne Stevenson,
and drawing the listener inexorably into political and historical
judgements as part of their powerful effect. The same might be said
of Clytemnestra, for all the epic resonance of its Aeschylian
scenario. In contrast, in the quiet intensity of another Stevenson
setting, Path, time, memory and passion are subsumed into
a musical symbol, a fragment of the aria Bois epais ('Lonely
Woods') from Lully's tragédie lyrique Amadis - material
which in the purely instrumental Summer Path is further refined
in a rapt dialogue of harp and strings.
Within the sensibility of Samuel's music nature, locality and landscape
are also important subjects whose spell, conversely, is frequently
evoked through the medium of instrumental or orchestral colour.
The most striking examples to date are two major scores, Dawnsiau'r
Nant (Dances of the Stream) and Tirluniau (Landscapes).
The Welsh titles form part of a shared Celtic resonance, though
the composer for her inspiration casts her net more widely than
the boundaries of her homeland: 'The Old Man of Storr', second movement
of Tirluniau, is to be found on the Scottish Isle of Skye,
a region that has also inspired the viola-and-piano pieces of Blythswood.
Likewise, Eryri, first of the Three Pieces for trumpet and
organ, takes a distant view of the vista of Mount Snowdon, while
the distinctly Cambrian topography of the song-set Cerddi Hynafol
/ Ancient Songs neatly combines a medieval Welsh 'setting' with
stories told from a woman's viewpoint.
No less adept in the handling of small as of large forms, Samuel
is an accomplished miniaturist whose talent for incisive statement
is displayed in a variety of instrumental suites, including Time
out of Time, for cello and piano, the Five Miniatures for piano
quintet, and Shaping the Air, for oboe or soprano and alto
saxophones and piano. Each number in these sequences of character
pieces focuses on a particular compositional challenge, conceived
of and executed in accordance with the playful, reflective or sombre
idea implicit in its title. To the last category belong a number
of memorable pieces concerned specifically with lamentation, including
Threnody with Fanfares, from the Three Pieces for trumpet
and organ, and Galar ('Grief') from Ymddiddan (Dialogue)
for two pianos. Other powerful stele to be found in Samuel's output
are the second song of the Cerddi Hynafol cycle, Galarnad
Heledd ('Heledd's Lament'), the solo organ meditation Fel
Blodeuyn (Like a Flower), and the grief-laden arabesques of
the final piece, 'Weeping Trellises', from the five-movement cycle
for piano, Dream-Images.
Samuel's sensitivity to the practical needs of singers and instrumentalists
lends her music an enduring appeal to performers and their audiences.
Tin Soldier for cello and piano was commissioned by the Associated
Board for the Spectrum for Cello collection, published in
January 2004. A variety of her pieces feature on current examination
syllabuses. Approaching repertoire status, too, are several vocal
works, for example, the atmospheric narrative of The Hare in
the Moon for soprano and piano. With The Witch's Manuscript
for soprano and brass quintet, it is singled out for praise in Sharon
Mabry's essential guide for singers, Exploring Twentieth-Century
Vocal Music, and is one of a number of acclaimed works by a
composer whose diverse output and continuing creativity point to
increasingly impressive achievements still to come.
© 2004 Stainer and Bell Ltd |
Works
These titles can be ordered in our online
shop, or, in the case of rental works, through our Hire
Library. The items with [PDF] after them are links to free sample
pages in the Adobe Actobat format.
Woodwind
Ariel 1988 [7'] (Ref. Y149) [PDF]
Flute and Piano
Dance in the Light 1997 [4'] (Ref. Y157) [PDF]
Two Flutes
...et Lamentable Joye 1998, rev. 2002 [6'] (Ref. Y193) [PDF]
Solo clarinet
Little Duos 2006 (Ref. Y233) [PDF]
Two Clarinets in B flat. (Two copies supplied.)
Shaping the Air 2000 [11'] (Ref. Y181) [PDF]
Oboe and Piano
Shaping the Air 2000, 2002 [11'] (Ref. Y195) [PDF]
Soprano and Alto Saxophones and Piano
Songlines 2002, [8'] (Ref. Y199) [PDF]
Alto Saxophone and Piano
Stepping Out 1996 [9'] (Ref. Y144) [PDF]
Clarinet and Piano
Traquair Music 1989 [7'] (Ref. Y146) [PDF]
Solo Oboe
Wherever I Go 1995 [5'] (Ref. Y147)
Solo Flute
Brass
Brass Express 1995 [6'] (Rental Ref. HL323)
Trumpet and Orchestra
Dovey Junction 2005 [4'30''] (Ref. Y224) [PDF]
Brass Quintet
Three Pieces for Trumpet and Organ 1999 (Ref. AC170, AC171
& AC172)
Eryri [4'] [PDF] ;
Black Mantillas [3'] [PDF] ;
Threnody with Fanfares [5'30''] [PDF]
Variations 2002 (Ref. Y197) [PDF]
Trombone Quartet
Strings
Blythswood 1996 [10'] (Ref. H398) [PDF]
Three Pieces for Viola and Piano
Little Serenade for Skaila 2004 [5'] (Ref. Y217) [PDF]
Solo harp
Naming the Flowers 1999 [12'] (Ref. Y175)
Three Pieces for Solo Guitar
Sky Blue Chicory and Purple Angelica [PDF];
The Shell-Frail Colour of Harebells [PDF];
Foxglove Balsam and Pods of Sweet Cicely [PDF];
One Charming Night 1998 [6'] (Ref. H423) [PDF]
Duo for Violin & Piano
Shards of Light 2005 (Ref. Y228) [PDF]
Solo Violin
Summer Path (Llwybr Hâf) 2000 [8'] (Rental Ref. HL346)
Solo Harp and String Orchestra
Time out of Time 2001 [12'] (Ref. Y192) [PDF]
Little Suite arranged for Viola and Piano
Time out of Time 2001[12'] (Ref. Y184) [PDF]
Little Suite for Cello and Piano
Keyboard
A Garland for Anne (2003) [10'] (Ref. Y200) [PDF]
Solo Piano
Copper Ribbons (2006) (Ref. Y231) [PDF]
Harpsichord
Dream-Images 1997 [15'] (Ref. H438) [PDF]
Solo Piano
Gaslight Square II 2005 (Ref. Y223) [PDF]
Piano Duet
Off to Narita 2002 [13'] (Ref. Y194) [PDF]
Solo Piano
Serenade Duo 2004 [5.5'] (Y219) [PDF]
Two Pianos
Silver Threads (2006) [6'] (Y232) [PDF]
Harpsichord
Ymddiddan (Dialogue) 1998 [13'] (Ref. AC166) [PDF]
Two Pianos
Organ
Fel Blodeuyn (Like a Flower) 1992, rev. 1993 [10']
(Ref. AC145) [PDF]
Solo Organ
Choral
La Belle Dame Sans Merci 1982, rev. 1987 [14']
(Rental Ref. HL321)
SATB Choir, 2 flutes, 2 oboes, 2 clarinets, 2 bassoons, 2 horns,
timpani, percussion (2), celesta, harp & Str(s) 4.4.3.3.2.
Changes 1973, rev. 1978 [8'] (Ref. AC158) [PDF]
SATB and Vibraphone
Dear Night 1998 [6'] (Ref. Y163) [PDF]
SATB and Organ
Jacobean Lyrics 1979 [6'] (Ref. Y151) [PDF]
SATB
Jolly Wat the Shepherd 1970 [3'] (Ref. Y155)
SATB [Included on the Christmas CD from the
Joyful Company of Singers, Peter Broadbent, conductor, with
Gabriel Woolf and Felicity Lott, 'Christmas Pudding'. Issued by
White Line.]
Lovesongs and Observations 1989 [9'] (Ref. W201)
SATB
Pan ddaw ust y nos/When the calm of night 2005 (Ref. Y222)
[PDF]
SATB and Organ
So Long Ago 1979 [5'] (Ref. Y154) [PDF]
SATB
Chamber
Works
Emerging (lightly) 2008 (Ref. Y244) [PDF]
Solo Viola and Chamber Ensemble (Flute, Clarinet in B flat, Two
Violins, Cello and Harp)
Every Day Dancing 2003 [10'] (Ref. Y216) [PDF]
Clarinet Quartet
Fantasy Quintet 1998 [15'] (Ref. Y164) [PDF]
Five Flutes
Five Miniatures 2001 (Ref. Y182) [PDF]
Piano Quintet
Preludes & Dances 1997 [13'] (Ref. Y148) [PDF]
String Quartet
Primavera 1984, 2001-2002 (Ref. Y196) [PDF]
Flute, Oboe, Clarinet, Horn and Bassoon
Quartet: Light and Water 2003 (Ref. AC211) [PDF]
Piano and Strings
Shadow Dance 1984, rev. 1985 [7'] (Ref. AC150)
[PDF]
Flute, Oboe and Piano
Through Windows and the Balustrades Beyond 1998
[8'30''] (Ref. Y167) [PDF]
Flute, Harp and Viola
Trio: Stepping Out II 2000 [8'] (Ref. Y179) [PDF]
Clarinet, Viola and Piano
Voice
& Piano/Solo Instrument
Before Dawn 1988 [9'30''] (Ref. H406) [PDF]
Medium Voice and Piano
Cerddi Hyfanol/ Ancient Songs 2001 (Ref. Y183) [PDF]
Mezzo-Soprano and Piano
The Flowing Sand 2006 (Ref. Y230) [PDF]
Five songs to poems by Samuel Beckett for baritone and piano
The Hare in the Moon 1978 [9'] (Ref. H412)
[PDF]
Soprano and Piano
Nantcol Songs 2003 (Ref. Y213) [PDF]
The Wind, the Sun and the Moon; A Perfect View
Medium/High Voice and Piano
Songs of Earth and Air 1983, rev. 2002 (Ref. Y204, Y205,
Y206, Y207)
April Rise [PDF];
The Kingfisher [PDF];
Snowdrop [PDF];
A Warm Rain [PDF]
Medium Voice and Piano
Trois Chansons de Francois Villon 1969, rev. 1998
[4'30''] (Ref. Y168) [PDF]
Voice and Flute/Piccolo
The White Amaryllis 1991 [23'] (Ref. AC162) [PDF]
Medium Voice and Piano
Voice
& Ensemble/Orchestra
Clytemnestra 1994 [27'] (Rental Ref. HL328)
Soprano soloist; 2 flutes, 2 oboes, cor anglais, 2 clarinets, bass
clarinet, 2 bassoons, contra bassoon, 4 horns, 3 trumpets, 3 trombones,
tuba, bass guitar, timpani, xylophone, vibraphone, marimba, percussion
(2) & Str(s) 8.8.6.6.4.
Colours 2007 [14'] (Ref. AC239) [PDF]
Two songs for high voice, trumpet and organ to texts by Anne Stevenson
Daughters' Letters 1996 [22'] (Rental Ref. HL326)
Soprano, percussion (1) & Str(s) 4.4.3.3.2.
The Hare in the Moon 1978 [9'] (Ref. AC159) [PDF]
Soprano, Vibraphone, Marimba and Double Bass
Intimations of Immortality 1978 [8'] (Rental Ref.
HL324)
Tenor soloist, solo violin, oboe, clarinet, horn, timpani &
Str(s) 4.4.3.3.2
Nantcol Songs 2003 (Ref. AC212) [PDF]
The Wind, the Sun and the Moon; A Perfect View
Medium/High Voice and Harp Ensemble
Path 1995 [7'] (Rental Ref. HL327)
Medium voice & Str(s) 4.4.3.3.2.
A River 2008 (Ref. Y243) [PDF]
Soprano, Baroque or Modern Oboe, Harpsichord and Bass Viol or Cello
Song for the Divine Miss C 1986 [15'] (Rental Ref. HL329)
Soprano & tenor soloists, SATB Choir; 4 flutes, alto flute (doubling
piccolo), oboe, cor anglais, 2 clarinets, 2 bassoons, 2 horns, 2
trumpets, 2 trombones, timpani & Str(s) 8.8.6.6.4.
Trinity 2005 (Y220) [PDF]
Three Songs for High Voice, Flute and Piano to texts by Anne Stevenson
The White Amaryllis 1991 [23'] (Rental Ref. HL325)
Medium voice, 2 flutes, piccolo, 2 oboes, cor anglais, 2 clarinets,
bass clarinet, 2 bassoons, 4 horns, 3 trumpets, 3 trombones, tuba,
timpani, percussion (3), harp & Str(s) 8.8.6.6.4.
The Witch's Manuscript 1985 [10'] (Ref. Y156) [PDF]
Soprano and Brass Quintet
Orchestra
Brass Express 1995 [6'] (Rental Ref. HL323)
Solo trumpet, 2 flutes, piccolo, 2 oboes, 2 clarinets, bass clarinet,
2 bassoons, 4 horns, 2 trumpets, 3 trombones, tuba, timpani, percussion
(2), vibraphone, piano & Str(s) 8.8.6.6.4.
Dawnsiau'r Nant (Dances of the Stream) 1999 [15'] (Rental
Ref. HL335)
2 flutes, 2 oboes, 2 clarinets, 2 bassoons, 4 horns, 3 trumpets,
3 trombones, tuba, percussion (3), xylophone, marimba, vibraphone,
timpani, piano & Str(s) 8.8.6.6.4.
Elegy-Symphony 1981 [22'] (Rental Ref. HL322)
3 flutes (1 doubling piccolo), 2 oboes, cor anglais, 2 clarinets,
bass clarinet, 2 bassoons, contra bassoon, 4 horns, 3 trumpets,
3 trombones, tuba, timpani, percussion (4), celesta, 2 harps &
Str(s) 8.8.6.6.4.
Scenes from an Aria 1996 [12'] (Rental Ref. HL317)
Solo oboe, 2 horns, marimba & Str(s) 4.4.3.3.2.
Summer Path (Llwybr Hâf) 2000 [8'] (Rental Ref. HL346)
Solo harp & Str(s) 4.4.3.3.2.
Summer Path II 2007 [8'] (Rental Ref. HL383) [PDF]
Solo oboe & Str(s) 4.4.3.3.2.
Tirluniau (Landscapes) 2000 [24'] (Rental Ref. HL345)
2 flutes, piccolo, 2 oboes, cor anglais, 2 clarinets, bass clarinet,
2 bassoons, double bassoon, 4 horns, 3 trumpets, 2 trombones, bass
trombone, tuba, percussion, harp, piano, timpani & Str(s) 8.8.6.6.4.
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Discography
The Hare in the Moon (Lucy Crowe, soprano, Simon Lepper, piano) [MP3 Clip - beginning]
Time out of Time (Gemma Rosefield, cello, Simon Lepper piano) [MP3 Clip - beginning of "Mechanical Doll"]
A Garland for Anne (Chenyin Li, solo piano) [MP3 Clip - beginning]
Trinity (Joana Seara, soprano, Adam Walker, flute John Reid,
piano) [MP3 Clip - beginning]
Piano Quartet: Light and Water (Fidelio Quartet: Michael Dussek,
piano, Tama Andras, violin, Sarah-Jane Bradley, viola, Gemma Rosefield,
cello) [MP3 Clip - ending]
Gaslight Square II (Duo Antithesis: Dimitris Karydis and Petros
Moschos) [MP3 Clip - beginning]
'Rhian Samuel: Light and Water'
Deux-Elles DXL 1128 www.deux-elles.co.uk [REVIEWS]
Threnody with Fanfares
Deborah Calland (trumpet), William Whitehead (organ)
'North Star' [REVIEWS]
Deux-Elles DXL 1097 www.deux-elles.co.uk
Jolly Wat the Shepherd
Joyful Company of Singers
'Plum Pudding'
White Line CDWHL2150 www.sanctuaryclassics.com
Nantcol Songs: A Perfect View
Gillian Keith (soprano), Simon Lepper (piano)
'A Garland for Presteigne'
Metronome METCD 1065 www.metronome.co.uk
Shadow Dance
Nancy Ruffer (flute), John Anderson (oboe), Helen Crayford (piano)
'British Music for Flute, Oboe and Piano'
Dutton CDLX 7181 www.duttonvocalion.co.uk
Songs of Earth and Air: The Kingfisher and April Rise
Sharon Mabry (mezzo-soprano), Rosemary Platt (piano)
'Music by Women'
Capstone CPS-8714 www.capstonerecords.org
Traquair Music
Cynthia Green Libby (oboe)
'Daystream Dances'
Hester Park CD 7707 www.vivacepress.com
Recent and Forthcoming Performances
Dream-Images
Claudia Schurr (piano)
14 September 2007. Schumann Festtage, Gewandhaus, Leipzig
A River (PREMIERE) for soprano, baroque oboe, harpsichord
and bass viol
"Music in the Village" concert series
Natalie Clifton-Griffith (soprano), Gail Hennessy (baroque oboe), Reiko
Ichise (viola da gamba), Terence Charlston (harpsichord)
21 February 2008. 7.30pm. (Pre-concert talk at 6.45pm) St. Mary's Church,
Walthamstow, London E17
Dance of the Curlews (PREMIERE) for harp duo
RAM Harp Ensemble JiMin Lee (harp), Nanako Murakami (harp)
7 March 2008. 1.05 pm. Duke's Hall, Royal Academy of Music
Emerging (lightly) (PREMIERE) for viola and ensemble
Mobius (flute, clarinet, harp and string quartet)
Vicci Wardman (solo viola), Jamie Martin (flute), Robert Plane (clarinet),
Maya Iwabachi and Philippe Honore (violins), Sally Pendlebury (cello),
Alison Nicholls (harp)
22 March 2008. 7.30 pm.Wigmore Hall, London
[REVIEW]
For further information about Rhian Samuel and
her works,
please e-mail Caroline Holloway caroline@stainer.co.uk
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