Into the Faded Air for String Sextet

Into the faded air was commissioned by Britten Sinfonia for first performance at Filharmonic Hall, Krakow, Poland on Sunday 13th January 2008, with Jacqueline Shave (Violin), Miranda Dale (Violin), Clare Finnimore (Viola), Catherine Musker (Viola), Caroline Dearnley (Cello) and Banjamin Chappell (Cello).

Scoring: String Sextet (2 Violins, 2 Violas, and 2 Cellos)

Duration: 10 minutes

Composer's Notes

''Into The Faded Air is cast in four movements although the last three movements are played without a break.

In the first movement, the sextet is divided into two groups. The first group, consisting ofviolin, viola and cello plays a sustained melody while the second group (also violin, violaand cello) contributes more jagged and intricate material. The second movement is anextended duet for two violas, accompanied by the other instruments. As the movementprogresses, the accompanying instruments become more prominent. The third movementis the only fast movement in the piece, with rapid semiquavers and much use of pizzicatothroughout. This leads into a serene chorale where the three upper instruments (twoviolins and first viola) are set against the second viola and two cellos. ''

- Helen Grime