Uploaded October 2022 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
This Composing for Piano scheme began life as a scheme writing for Hardanger Fiddle in November 2021. The six composers worked with the inspirational Clare Salaman to write new works for this amazing instrument. Clare was already receiving treatment for cancer but she wanted to continue sharing her enthusiasm and knowledge with a new generation of composers. Tragically, Clare passed away in January of this year.
The composers were all profoundly affected by Clare's passion, expertise and commitment, and they would like to to take the opportunity to dedicate their compositions in memory of Clare.
------------------------------
Psappha's 'Composing For…' schemes began back in 2013 and have supported the creation of more than 160 new works to date. The aim of the scheme is to give emerging composers direct access to one of Psappha’s core musicians over an extended period of 8 – 10 months. Through a series of one to one workshops the composer and musician get to know each other personally and musically and a new work is created through this collaboration.
------------------------------
Benjamin Powell - Piano
Tim Williams - Producer and Editor
Leighton Moody - Director of Photography
Rob Kelledy - Sound recording and Mastering
------------------------------
Feathered Air grew directly out of the first meeting on this composing for scheme with the Hardanger fiddle player Clare Salaman and her wholehearted warmth that day. The piece is in some ways an act of translation from one instrument to another, and my thanks go to Benjamin Powell for all his help in working through these ideas so sensitively at the piano. Feathered Air is my response to that brief meeting with the hardanger fiddle, and the bright yet calm energy of Clare. I hope some of the intricacy, directness of character, and nuanced movement of the music which Clare so generously shared with us that day has made its way into this piece for piano.
The title can be understood as a whole, or as the two roots of the piece. Feathered, as in intricately compact, symmetrical, tapering. Thousands of tiny strands, just touching, forming a glistening surface, centred on a strong, dart like, core. Air as in that untouchable centre, and a softly stated musical line, continually floating onwards. It is music negotiating the space between centre, surface, and edges; something with direction, and evolving brightness, with a core made more or less visible.
Learn more about Laura: laurashipsey.com
------------------------------
LEARN MORE AND FOLLOW PSAPPHA
Website: psappha.com
Subscribe to Psappha's Enewsletter: shorturl.at/ryFGO
Twitter: twitter.com/PsapphaEnsemble
Facebook: facebook.com/psappha.ensemble
This Composing for Piano scheme began life as a scheme writing for Hardanger Fiddle in November 2021. The six composers worked with the inspirational Clare Salaman to write new works for this amazing instrument. Clare was already receiving treatment for cancer but she wanted to continue sharing her enthusiasm and knowledge with a new generation of composers. Tragically, Clare passed away in January of this year.
The composers were all profoundly affected by Clare's passion, expertise and commitment, and they would like to to take the opportunity to dedicate their compositions in memory of Clare.
------------------------------
Psappha's 'Composing For…' schemes began back in 2013 and have supported the creation of more than 160 new works to date. The aim of the scheme is to give emerging composers direct access to one of Psappha’s core musicians over an extended period of 8 – 10 months. Through a series of one to one workshops the composer and musician get to know each other personally and musically and a new work is created through this collaboration.
------------------------------
Benjamin Powell - Piano
Tim Williams - Producer and Editor
Leighton Moody - Director of Photography
Rob Kelledy - Sound recording and Mastering
------------------------------
Feathered Air grew directly out of the first meeting on this composing for scheme with the Hardanger fiddle player Clare Salaman and her wholehearted warmth that day. The piece is in some ways an act of translation from one instrument to another, and my thanks go to Benjamin Powell for all his help in working through these ideas so sensitively at the piano. Feathered Air is my response to that brief meeting with the hardanger fiddle, and the bright yet calm energy of Clare. I hope some of the intricacy, directness of character, and nuanced movement of the music which Clare so generously shared with us that day has made its way into this piece for piano.
The title can be understood as a whole, or as the two roots of the piece. Feathered, as in intricately compact, symmetrical, tapering. Thousands of tiny strands, just touching, forming a glistening surface, centred on a strong, dart like, core. Air as in that untouchable centre, and a softly stated musical line, continually floating onwards. It is music negotiating the space between centre, surface, and edges; something with direction, and evolving brightness, with a core made more or less visible.
Learn more about Laura: laurashipsey.com
------------------------------
LEARN MORE AND FOLLOW PSAPPHA
Website: psappha.com
Subscribe to Psappha's Enewsletter: shorturl.at/ryFGO
Twitter: twitter.com/PsapphaEnsemble
Facebook: facebook.com/psappha.ensemble
