Sadie Harrison

Carillons after Couperin L.

Composed in 2013, this 4 minute piece for Piano Triet (one piano six hands) is based on a keyboard work that may have been written by Louis Couperin in the mid 1600s. Baroque 'bell pieces' were generally uniform in style and structure, making composer designations problematic. The main theme is heard at the outset, followed by a short set of variations. Ghosts of other composers drift in and out - Lully, Paganini and Ravel adding a few notes here and there. The players are directed to perform with joyful Baroque energy, gravitas and increasing brilliance. Carillons was written especially for John Pitts and the extraordinary Triet ensemble, and is dedicated to Bill Maddocks. The source is Volume 1 of the Philidor Collection, written in Philidor's hand (Réserve F 494, pp. 71-73: Paris, Bibliotheque national). Carillons was premiered on 22 June 2014 in Colston Hall, Bristol as part of the Severnside Composers Alliance Music on the Edge 2013-14 Series Piano Triets - 3 is the Magic Number 2.