Chamber orchestra
Duration c.6'

'Central Reservation' for chamber orchestra is in five sections; Introduction, Fugue I, Adagio, Fugue II, and Coda. The orchestra is divided into two groups, with the players on the left (violins 1 & 2, double basses, flutes, oboe, bassoons and trumpet) using material based on minor thirds while the right-hand players (violas, cellos, clarinets, cor anglais, horns and trombone) use major thirds. The percussionist remains neutral.

In the Introduction, the two groups present their respective harmonic and melodic material in an antiphonal style, progressing from the bold gestures of trumpet and trombone to a more relaxed character, which leads to the first of the two Fugues. Fugue I is scored for ten solo instruments, accompanied by tutti strings. Each side of the orchestra has its own subject. Next comes the central Adagio, which begins as a duet for cor anglais and muted trombone, accompanied by clarinets, horns, violas and cellos. At its halfway point, the oboe and trumpet take over as soloists, accompanied by violins, flutes and bassoons. The double basses, who take no part in the Adagio, enter to begin the second Fugue. This Fugue soon descends into chaos, with the two groups stealing each other's material, while the texture becomes increasingly thick and tangled. The Coda begins when the trumpet and trombone interrupt the fugue to restore some sort of order.

Full scoring: 2 flutes (2nd +picc) • oboe • cor anglais • 2 clarinets • 2 bassoons • 2 horns • trumpet • trombone • clashed cymbals • strings (at least 66442)

Christ Church, Highbury, London
Composers' Orchestral Project
Highbury Festival Orchestra, conducted by Gerry Cornelius

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