Projects / Performance / Spaces-Beyond the End of the World
Spaces- Beyond the End of the World: Voices of the Rapids*
Spaces- Beyond the End of the World: Calm Space*
(watch these videos in higher definition from our YouTube page)
This cycle of songs explores the notion of a great journey - perhaps an inner journey, or a final journey, or perhaps a journey to a new and uncharted realm beyond all that is known. It meditates on the idea of the vast worlds that exist nearby-around us as we travel, under the ground we walk on-but always beyond reach and understanding, as well as concepts of solitude and awe.
Spaces takes a variety of texts, including ancient Welsh verse, Henry Thoreau, John Of The Cross, Stewart Edward White, the Psalms & Mass extracts in Latin and Greek, clippings from press and radio, an unknown poet in Alabama called Rebecca Stager, and some verse in French by the composer.
It is scored for various combinations of voices, piano, harp and keyboard. John Hardy Music is currently exploring the idea of expanding this piece into a large-scale, site specific performance to take place in large spaces such as quarries and incorporating elements of choreography, image projection and dramatic lighting.
The project was commissioned by the Vivace Singers and performed with Only Men Aloud! as Serendipity with funding from the Arts Council of Wales and the PRS Foundation.
"Each [part] was a vivid realisation of its title... finding... a speed and rhythmic movement which belonged to that piece alone and created a particular and exclusive world for it."
Enid Luff, Composers of Wales newsletter, May 2006
Printed scores of Spaces are available. Select movement:
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*Grateful thanks to video editor John Gillanders at Barcud Derwen, camera operator Aled Jenkins and sound recordist Deian Humphreys.