Jonathan Dove

Gaspard's Foxtrot (2020)

Gaspard's Foxtrot by Jonathan Dove with a story by Zeb Soanes and illustrations by James Mayhew is a 30-minute Musical Tale for Narrator and Orchestra, scored for 2(1/2,Picc).2.2(1/2,BCl).2(1/2,CBsn) - 2.2.2(1/BTrbn).1 - Timp.2Perc - Hp - Str(min.6.4.2.2.1). Gaspard's Foxtrot is one of a series of children's books by Zeb Soanes, illustrated by James Mayhew about an urban fox called Gaspard who lives in London. In this Musical Tale Gaspard goes on an adventure taking a bus ride through London to see a concert in Hyde Park. Inspired by Prokofiev's Peter and the Wolf, the work uses the same combination of instruments, and uses instruments to represent particular characters. It was commissioned by the Philharmonia Orchestra, Three Choirs Festival Association, Docklands Sinfonia, Royal Liverpool Philharmonic and Royal Scottish National Orchestra. The premieres of the work were postponed due to Covid-19; the first performance was an interactive digital as-live concert experience for primary schools in Scotland on 10 May 2021. It was filmed on the 25/26 February 2021 with the Royal Scottish National Orchestra with Alice Farnham (condutor) and Zeb Soanes (narrator). The full score (EP 73477) is available for sale as part of the Peters Contemporary Library. The performance material can be hired.