Paul Lewis

Norfolk Concerto

Orchestration: Flute, Harp, Strings (Violin 1, Violin 2, Viola, Cello, Bass)
'Norfolk Concerto', a tribute to one of the composer's favourite counties, was written in 1992 and is dedicated to his friend, TV director and naturalist David Cobham, a long-time Norfolk resident, who made the film from which the music of the first movement is derived. The concerto was premiered in 1992 by Kirsten Spratt, flute, and Ruth Holden, harp, with the Stowe Chamber Ensemble conducted by the composer. There are four movements.
Idyll A rhapsodic movement based on Lewis's score to the 1972 BBC TV documentary 'The Vanishing Hedgerows,' in which author and farmer Henry Williamson deplored the effects of modern farming methods upon the Norfolk countryside. The 13th century English song 'Sumer is Icumen' in also makes an appearance as Williamson quoted the title to introduce a dazzling montage of summer birds.
Scherzo alla Marcia A bright march-style movement with a jig-like central section.
Pavane An arrangement of an organ piece commissioned in 1971 by actor Robert Hardy for the memorial service to his mother-in-law, star of stage and screen Gladys Cooper. Paul Lewis was scoring a play for Anglia Television starring Hardy at the time and it was while they were working together in Norwich that the commission was discussed, hence the Norfolk association of 'Pavane.'
Toccata A neo-classical Allegro suggestive perhaps of a brisk walk in the bracing air of the North Norfolk coast.

A PACK includes a full score, string parts 4/4/3/4/2 and parts for flute and harp.
'Duration 17 minutes'

Also available is a version of the first movement (Idyll):
'Norfolk Idyll for flute & harp' - Goodmusic GM178
and two versions of the third movement (Pavane):
'Pavane for organ' - Goodmusic GM176
'Pavane for flute & piano with optional cello' - Goodmusic GM177