Programme Notes

One Clear Call is inspired by the classic poem of Alfred Lord Tennyson’s ‘Crossing the Bar’. This elegy is about facing life’s
final journey into the unknown.

The poet evokes imagery of embarking on a fi nal voyage by ship to describe death, both as a summons and a homecoming. The work opens with solo tuba cadenza over an organ drone, with (ship’s) bell setting the sombre refl ective tone.

The brass add depth and dark colours to the composition, while the main body of the work is loosely based on a fi ve bar chord sequence which does not fully materialise into the theme until late into the piece.

The brass occasionally breaks free from introspection in a blaze of energy showcasing the group, but ultimately the music acknowledges fate and fades into the distance with a fi nal dialogue for tuba, organ and muted trumpets. David Powell sites his infl uences from some of the great jazz big bands and musicians he has worked with, including Loose Tubes, Mike Westbrook, John Dankworth and Bill Evans.

Inspired by their intuitive feel and idiomatic instrumental writing, David has created a piece that is both gratifying for soloist and ensemble, and is dedicated to his wife Imo.