Page 407 - Aldeburgh Festival 2022 FINAL COVERAGE BOOK
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work’s musical phrases, intertwined with the instrumental parts. ‘I don’t see the instrument as being
separate to the person playing it. I see vocalisations as a continuation from the bow stroke.’
El-Turk has implemented her own five-step ‘spectrum’ of improvisation. ‘You start off with an idea,
on which the performer develops and elaborates,’ she says. The spectrum is as follows: play the
beginning material as written; then play it again with idiomatic decoration; improvise based on the
given material; improvise based on the spirit of the given material; improvise freely. Parameters,
based on an Arabic style of improvisation and modes, are given to guide the performers. ‘It puts
less importance on the “holy” score,’ she says. ‘The right people can express that musical line better
than anything I could have written.’
Photo: Kaupo Kikkas
Adelphi Quartet
Having composed for the Adelphi Quartet before, El-Turk had a fresh chance to work with them on
this commission: ‘I got to know them better through the improvisation I set them and how they
approach musical ideas. They have so much depth and chemistry, and it brings out the best in the
piece.’ Of the premiere she says, ‘The creative response to my material will be interesting. I don’t
care if they play “incorrectly”, as long as they don’t lose the blood that runs through the work’s
veins.’
Composer Bushra El-Turk
WorkPainting Secrets
Artists Adelphi Quartet
Date 21 June 2022
