Break-Up Mantras

for six players and electronics (2023)

I was thinking about euphoria in pop music, that simple, single-minded, ecstatic feeling you get from so many love songs. I found some vocal samples I liked, then slowed them down and looped them, imagining each one as a kind of sculpture, gently rotating round and round in a neutral, dream-like space. Still euphoric, but frozen like TV static, repeating obsessively like prayer ritual.

1. I STILL FEEL
2. YOU'RE ALL I NEED
3. DON'T RUN FROM ALL THE THINGS YOU FEAR
4. THINKIN' ABOUT YOU, I'M THINKIN' ABOUT YOU
5. WE AIN'T GOT NO PROBLEMS, PROBLEMS, YEAH. I LET 'EM GO
6. TELL ME I'M YOURS
7. AH, JUST DON'T WALK AWAY
8. I DON'T WANNA LOVE YOU BUT I CAN'T SAY NO
9. I WANNA BE WITH YOU
10. YOU TOLD ME YOU WOULD NEVER, EVER FADE AWAY

Commissioned by Sinfonia Smith Square with the generous support of Dave Usher. Premiered in Italy as part of Anghiari Festival in July 2023.

Recorded by:
flute: Ellie Blamires
clarinet: Raymond Brien
bassoon: Hollie Redshaw
violin: Naomi Warburton
viola: Wanshu Qiu
cello: Miki Piszczorowicz