Primula Vulgaris
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Score title
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Primula Vulgaris
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Composer
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Anna Clyne
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Program note
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Primula vulgaris: This European native is commonly known as the English Primrose and is a welcome sight in the spring.
Flower clusters enchant the beholder with pale colors of red, purple, yellow, white and blue, all with a yellow eye. The inspiration for this piece was a reading of the first string quartet I wrote for Metropolis. The original premise was to compose a string quartet derived from material from Within Her Arms, a string ensemble piece that Metropolis will perform in May 2010. The reading taught me two valuable lessons. Firstly, to write each piece fresh and anew—leaning back on older pieces can create lifeless music. I'm in a different space to where I was a year ago, when I was writing Within Her Arms. Secondly, I realized what an influence actually knowing the musicians I'm writing for has on my music. Having a sense of the musicians both individually and as an ensemble can really influence a piece and its direction. As a result of hearing my initial string quartet, I decided to start anew with fresh material and writing with Kristin, Sean, Maurycy, and Nicholas in mind.
Primula Vulgaris was commissioned and premiered by the Metropolis Ensemble at the Americas Society in New York City.
— Anna Clyne
Anna Clyne