Paul Carr

The Unusual Quietness Of Snow

This work is an arrangement of the slow movement from Paul Carr's Concerto for Oboe. Score and parts included.
The unusual quietness of snow is a slow and poignant expression of sadness and loss. At a difficult time in my life, a few days before my Mother's death, it seemed strange that a heavy, early morning snow fall in the first days of March could have provided a sense of calmness and unity at a time of extreme emotion. It was a snow fall and a quietness I shall never forget, and I remember thinking how comforting and beautiful it was - the large heavy flakes falling slowly and silently, as if out of a mark of respect. Opening with quiet sustained chords in the strings the oboe enters with an expressive theme that continually rises and falls, deepening in emotional intensity. Eventually the theme is taken up by the strings and joined by the oboe as it reaches its highest point - leaving the movement to subside into calm, quiet, and eventual rest. Paul Carr

The Concerto was written for, and is dedicated to Nicholas Daniel, who gave the first performance with the Southern Sinfonia conducted by Ronald Corp, in Dorchester Abbey, Dorchester-on-Thames on 27th May 2008 as part of the 'English Music Festival'. The concerto has also been recorded by Nicholas Daniel and the Royal Ballet Sinfonia, conducted by Gavin Sutherland and is released on the Dutton Epoch label.

At the request of Nicholas Daniel, Paul made this arrangement for oboe and string quartet for the Leicester International Festival of Music. The first performance was given at the Festival on 18th September 2009 by Nicholas Daniel, Priya Mitchell, Alexander Sitkovetsky, Guy Ben-Ziony & Natalie Clein.
Duration 6 1/2 minutes