Call in the New

Call in the New was written for Denise and Jonathan Lewin for their wedding anniversary party in September 2006. Denise requested that I write a piece that all the family could play. The piece was completed on the 22nd August 2006.

Call in the New (you can figure out the significance of the title!!) is based on the family name and the names of individual family members converted into music. I used the musical alphabet (A-G) and then wrote the rest of the alphabet repeating underneath:

The following motifs were then created using the cipher key.

Lewin

Jonathan

Denise

Greg

The piece open with an E7(#9) chord played to a syncopated rhythm that is morse code for 'Lewins'. After this the first section employs the first three motifs above. The middle section of the piece uses the final motifs and is a dialogue between the piano and trumpet. The final section is the same as the first (creating a ternary form) before a brief coda in which the cello features.

The piece was carefully scored with the performers in mind and as many members of the family play more than one instrument, there are a number of times when players swap instruments.

The piece is scored for:

Oboe (Hannah)
Trumpet (Greg)
Tuba (Jodie)
Drum Kit (Nathan or Jonathan)
Percussion [Cow Bell, Claves, Maracas, Congas, Cymbal, Tambourine, Glockenspiel] (Nathan or Jonathan and Hannah)
Piano (Denise)
Bass Guitar (Greg)
Cello (Jodie)