1990 Catalogue - Sally Beamish @ Scottish Music Centre

Sally Beamish

Scottish Music Centre

Sally Beamish - Catalogue

Catalogue


Commedia (1990)
 Programme Note available
Sally Beamish
Commissioned by Premiere Ensemble.
First performance:
The Premiere Ensemble, St John's Smith Square, London, 01 Jan 1990

Work Details

Category: chamber mixed quintet
Duration: 15'
Instrumentation: Fl (Picc) Cl Vn Vc Pf

SMC Holdings

   Recording / Location: sound archive - C-Beam 1 aii   [enquire]
   Recording / Location: sound archive - C-XZ 224 b   [enquire]
   Score : unpublished / Location: ref library   [buy]
   Score : unpublished / Location: archive collection   [enquire]
   Part(s) : unpublished / Location: archive collection   [enquire]
   Set : unpublished / Location: hire library   [enquire]
Programme Note

Commedia is a `theatre piece' without actors - an imaginary Italian Comedy based on scenes from real comedias of the 17th and 18th Centuries. These scenes are interspersed with `Lazzi', slapstick or improvised sections which were included in the Commedia dell'arte.
Overture
Scene I
Harlequin (Cello) is ill; the doctor (Piano) attempts to diagnose the problem
Lazzo I
The doctor chases Harlequin with a syringe
Scene II
Harlequin is unexpectedly delivered of a baby boy,,, he and the doctor the baby
Lazzo II
The rocking becomes more violent causing Columbine (Flute) to become alarmed and to take the child into her own safe-keeping
Scene III
Columbine's lullaby
Scene IV
Pulcinella (Clarinet) attempts to seduce Colummmbine and, failing, steals the baby
Scene V
Columbine weeps, Pierrot (Violin) comforts her and agrees to help to recapture the baby
Lazzo III
Chase (in which Pulcinella disguises himself as a windmill, but lets go of the child)
Scene VI
Pierrot's Dance (on rescuing the baby from Pulcinella). Harlequin re-appears and recognises his child. Columbine agrees to marry him and to help care for the child
Lazzo IV
Pierrot, who has fallen in love with Coumbine, weeps. Pulcinella re-appears to tlumbine, weeps. Pulcinella reappears to taunt him
Finale
In which Pulcinella is marched to the scaffold

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