Lamentation for the Salmon - Programme Notes 2009
The True Story Behind “Lamentation for the Salmon”
Started on June 8th 2009 and completed on July 20th 2009.
Distraught after seeing a salmon being prepared for human consumption – and after I recovered from the distress – I was inspired. It was a matter of: “I must write a Lamentation, so that the once lovely, lively salmon – which now lay upon our kitchen worktop in pieces – shall live forever in my heart.”
It can be divided into ten sections (the composition, that is… not the salmon). The opening section, the ‘Lament’ begins with an ominous D minor chord reinforced by a prominent timpani part. It’s very much a reflection on the present state of the salmon, and the whole morbid situation (that being the unavoidable truth of the dead fish in our kitchen).
The short passage after the ‘Lament’ is titled ‘The Chopping Board’ – self explanatory, though somewhat exaggerated for dramatic effect (and also because, musically speaking, a big shiny chef’s knife is easier to portray than some kitchen scissors). Then follows an aftermath, which swiftly moves into ‘Struggling in the Net’; it features agitated strings and restless lower woodwind & brass sections depicting the salmon’s final unsuccessful endeavor to break free from the net.
The salmon finds itself in a delirious state which takes us to ‘Reminiscing’; his whole life flashing before his eyes. He remembers his triumphant ‘First Day in School’ in an animated 6/8, juxtaposed with quirky tuplets. His next flashback is not as pleasant, ‘First Encounter with a Shark’. The music at this point is in B-flat minor, so it’s unpleasant for the orchestra as well, especially the strings – they’ll hate that.
A fleeting Mozart-esque couple of bars leads us into the next section: ‘At One Point He Had a Head’. This came up in a late-June kitchen conversation and was subsequently written into the score. In 3/4, the section features interweaving horn and trumpet solos. The poignant return of the orchestra towards the conclusion reflects the importance of having a head.
‘Mr Salmon Meets His Ladyfriend’ is a fun, flirty section featuring solo flute and solo cello. Ladyfriend entices Mr Salmon with her teasing playfulness and he seduces her with his charming sense of humour. In my head, they are definitely having a conversation before the solos come together, with the rest of the orchestra, culminating in a blossoming relationship. His most treasured moment, and his last ever memory.
We are abruptly brought back to reality with ‘Lament Reprise’ which is even more intense for having been transposed up a tone into E minor. Timpanis close the piece with ‘Last few beats of the heart…’ emphasizing the tragic fate of the salmon.
Return to Project Library here.
The True Story Behind “Lamentation for the Salmon”
Started on June 8th 2009 and completed on July 20th 2009.
Distraught after seeing a salmon being prepared for human consumption – and after I recovered from the distress – I was inspired. It was a matter of: “I must write a Lamentation, so that the once lovely, lively salmon – which now lay upon our kitchen worktop in pieces – shall live forever in my heart.”
It can be divided into ten sections (the composition, that is… not the salmon). The opening section, the ‘Lament’ begins with an ominous D minor chord reinforced by a prominent timpani part. It’s very much a reflection on the present state of the salmon, and the whole morbid situation (that being the unavoidable truth of the dead fish in our kitchen).
The short passage after the ‘Lament’ is titled ‘The Chopping Board’ – self explanatory, though somewhat exaggerated for dramatic effect (and also because, musically speaking, a big shiny chef’s knife is easier to portray than some kitchen scissors). Then follows an aftermath, which swiftly moves into ‘Struggling in the Net’; it features agitated strings and restless lower woodwind & brass sections depicting the salmon’s final unsuccessful endeavor to break free from the net.
The salmon finds itself in a delirious state which takes us to ‘Reminiscing’; his whole life flashing before his eyes. He remembers his triumphant ‘First Day in School’ in an animated 6/8, juxtaposed with quirky tuplets. His next flashback is not as pleasant, ‘First Encounter with a Shark’. The music at this point is in B-flat minor, so it’s unpleasant for the orchestra as well, especially the strings – they’ll hate that.
A fleeting Mozart-esque couple of bars leads us into the next section: ‘At One Point He Had a Head’. This came up in a late-June kitchen conversation and was subsequently written into the score. In 3/4, the section features interweaving horn and trumpet solos. The poignant return of the orchestra towards the conclusion reflects the importance of having a head.
‘Mr Salmon Meets His Ladyfriend’ is a fun, flirty section featuring solo flute and solo cello. Ladyfriend entices Mr Salmon with her teasing playfulness and he seduces her with his charming sense of humour. In my head, they are definitely having a conversation before the solos come together, with the rest of the orchestra, culminating in a blossoming relationship. His most treasured moment, and his last ever memory.
We are abruptly brought back to reality with ‘Lament Reprise’ which is even more intense for having been transposed up a tone into E minor. Timpanis close the piece with ‘Last few beats of the heart…’ emphasizing the tragic fate of the salmon.
Return to Project Library here.
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