Penmon Point
Andrew Lewis
Programme notes
To Maurice Lock
“A cold, clear Advent day. In the distance, snow-capped mountains appear still and at peace, yet close by the sea relentlessly pounds the Point on three sides. The steep pebble beach is dragged and drawn by waves that crackle and seethe with the mass of moving stone, while frozen pools on the shore splinter and craze in joyful counterpoint. Half a mile distant an island rises up, almost touchable — Seiriol’s Island, home of the hermit, now lifeless yet still echoing with ancient worship. Even the lighthouse, beacon of guidance, tolls in ceaseless praise, as if to continue the songs of men who now sing before God.” (Penmon Point, Isle of Anglesey, North Wales, December 2001)
Penmon Point is a place of extraordinary sights and sounds. This piece draws together its three main sonic elements.
Musica Mundana
Musica Humana
Musica Instrumentalis
All three musics are linked by their periodicity, the ebb and flow of the waves, rise and fall of the voices, and regular tolling of the bell creating a variety of rhythmic interactions.
[xi-07]
Penmon Point was realized in the winter 2002-03 at the Electroacoustic Music Studios of Bangor University (Wales, UK) and premiered on March 22, 2003 during the Electric Spring Festival in Huddersfield (UK). It was awarded the 1st prize at the 5th Concurso Internacional de Música Eletroacústica de São Paulo (CIMESP ’03, Brazil). Penmon Point was recorded on the compact disc Música Maximalista / Maximal Music 10
Premiere
- March 22, 2003, Electric Spring 2003
: The Welsh Connection, St Paul’s Hall — University of Huddersfield, Huddersfield (England, UK)
Awards
- Composer(s): Andrew Lewis
- Year of composition: 2002-03
- Cycle: Four Anglesey Beaches
- Duration: 15:26
- Instrumentation: stereo fixed medium
- Publisher(s): Ymx média
- ISRC: CAD500722630
