Programme Notes
Ben Gaunt - Eheduanna's Séance
Enheduanna was a Sumerian high priestess, born in 2285 BC. She is the earliest known poet to have their name attributed to their work.
Enheduanna’s Séance is an experiment in musical time travel. Séances were popular in Victorian period, and therefore much of the melodic content is made up of fragments of Victorian popular songs. These have been rhythmically manipulated and forced into an unconventional scale; an historically uninformed attempt at recreating what I imagine ancient Sumerian music might be like.
Enheduanna’s Séance is an experiment in musical time travel. Séances were popular in Victorian period, and therefore much of the melodic content is made up of fragments of Victorian popular songs. These have been rhythmically manipulated and forced into an unconventional scale; an historically uninformed attempt at recreating what I imagine ancient Sumerian music might be like.
Duration 4’00 approx.
Started on the 28th June 2017, in Barnsley
Finished on the 17th of July 2017, in Leeds
Trio version finished on the 24th of January 2019, in Leeds
Premieres:
Solo version: Carla Rees (baroque flute), 8 June 2018, Iklectik, London
Trio version: Carla Rees, Bethany Penny and James Walker (baroque flutes), 28 February 2019, Picture Gallery, Royal Holloway University of London
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