WORKS
LIST OF WORKS:
Sarah often takes inspiration from the natural world and poetry; aiming to create evocative atmospheres in her music.
Trearddur Bay, Anglesey
AND THE SUN STOOD STILL (2018)
for Symphony Orchestra
Duration: 8’30”
Commissioned and premiered by the BBC Concert Orchestra in December 2018.
Inspired by the winter solstice and the primal, prehistoric resonance that it holds. Images of bleached, mid-winter landscapes; crystal shafts of frozen light and an intense, bright, burning sun low on the horizon.
The energy within shafts of frozen light is depicted alongside the intense darkness invoking the ancient belief that the winter solstice was a day when dangerous spirits walked the earth. Seeing the sun at its lowest point in the sky made people fear that its strength would never return.
But ultimately the winter solstice brings a feeling of hope and renewal.
BBC Radio 4
‘Front Row’
‘Strictly's Shirley Ballas, Young Composer Sarah Jenkins, National Theatres of Scotland and Wales’
19.15 Friday 30th November, 2018
Hear Sarah interviewed on BBC Radio 4’s Front Row by Stig Abell. Chatting about composing, the premiere of ‘And the Sun Stood Still’ and working with the BBC Concert Orchestra.
AND THE SUN STOOD STILL (2018) - CHAMBER WINDS
Adapted for RWCMD Chamber Winds, to be premiered on 13th March, 2019 @RWCMD
Duration: 8’30”
Inspired by the winter solstice and the primal, prehistoric resonance that it holds. Images of bleached, mid-winter landscapes; crystal shafts of frozen light and an intense, bright, burning sun low on the horizon.
The energy within shafts of frozen light is depicted alongside the intense darkness invoking the ancient belief that the winter solstice was a day when dangerous spirits walked the earth. Seeing the sun at its lowest point in the sky made people fear that its strength would never return.
But ultimately the winter solstice brings a feeling of hope and renewal.
TRALLALI, TRALLALEY, TRALLALERA (2018)
for Piano and Chamber Orchestra
Premiered by the Aurora Orchestra in August 2018.
Duration: 7’30”
Explores Mahler’s settings from Des Knaben Wunderhorn and the contrast between the beauty of the poems depicting nature, but also by the hidden darkness of those set in the world of soldiers.
The title reflects the folk tradition of the poems and is a symbol of the youthful optimism of the soldiers during the dawn patrol. As the piece progresses, the title takes on a dark irony as the soldiers are confronted by the horrors of war; the pastoral scene is interrupted by the discovery of fallen comrades. Composed 100 years after the end of WW1, parallels between the cyclical patterns found in nature and the continuation of conflict despite “The war to end all wars” are explored.
THREE MINIATURES OF YNYS LAWD (2017)
Piano, Harp, Tam-Tam, Harp, Celeste
Premiered by the Aurora Orchestra in August 2017
Duration: 5’00”
Inspired by a visit to the island of Ynys Lawd (South Stack), Anglesey and the haunting beauty of the landscape,light, water and changing tides.
I. High Tide uses the crystal timbres of the piano, harp and celesta to capture shimmering shafts of light, whilst the tam-tam emulates the sound of swelling waves throughout the three movements.
II. Spring Tide explores ostinato figures and cross rhythms, aiming to recreate the rhythmic momentum of the tide. Its middle section also evokes the haunting sound of a fog bell from the island's lighthouse.
III. Ebb Tide reflects the stillness of an open expanse of water. A solo harp line emerges before a string of parallel chords ebb away, leaving only the distant sound of the waves.
SONG CYCLE FOR CLARINET AND CELLO (2016)
Bb Clarinet and Cello
Duration: 6’00”
Explores the interaction between Clarinet and Cello and the idea that both instruments have the ability to imitate the human voice.
Please check back for more works…