Andrew Robertson Mackereth

Night Moods

Night Moods is a musical exploration of the essence of night. The work is structured in a manner that each movement is self-sufficient and could be performed as a standalone piece. Nevertheless, the narrative progression ensures that the thematic elements remain consistent throughout the three movements, creating a cohesive whole when performed sequentially. #1 Dream As the title implies, this is expansive and tranquil music in which the protagonist finds solace. The music swells and undulates freely, incorporating moments of grandeur and nobility before returning to a state of tranquillity. #2 Night Manoeuvres This movement reflects an action dream in which the protagonist is a spy or military person, deep in hostile territory. The focus here is on drama and tension. The three-note motif from movement one is transformed into cascading descending fourths. This is heroic music, and intentional nods to action hero themes should be embraced and fully exploited. #3 Nightmare Inevitably, the dream and rest are interrupted by tense, angular phrases that represent anxious thoughts. Attempts to return to the realm of dreams are unsuccessful, and we descend into the full horror of a restless sleep plagued by sharks, screams, and bumps in the night.