Claire McCue: Beauty and the Beastie [download]

For String Quartet

“There was no particular concept for this piece, simply a piece of music that took its own shape. However, one day when I was reflecting on the composition, I started thinking of midges. I'm not sure whether it was because of particular sounds, or the feelings the music evoked, but it reminded me of being with friends on a camping trip in Scotland, surrounded by beautiful scenery, but unable to fully appreciate it because of the midges... a mild threat in the daytime, but ready to strike and getting worse in the evening, eventually forcing us to seek refuge in cars and tents.

Hence the title, Beauty (the landscape) and the Beastie (the midges!).”