Harpsichord SKU: ST.Y231
Composed by Rhian Samuel. Octavo. Stainer & Bell Ltd. #Y231. Published by Stainer & Bell Ltd. (ST.Y231). ISBN 9790220221767.
Written for harpsichordist Jane Chapman, and clearly inspired by her virtuosity, Copper Ribbons is a fantasy-movement of throbbing tremolandi and scrunchy arpeggiated chords that both support and intrude upon a recitative-like 'line' of elusive, questioning melody. Exploiting the instruments rich variety of tone colours with a Debussian passion for texture and timbre, the composer here creates a miniature tone-poem, which sustains to its closing bars a sense of mystery and suggestion. The work may stand alone, or as a pair with its companion-piece Silver Threads, which should precede it.