Alan Ridout

Duo Concertant

Alan Ridout composed this Duo Concertant whilst he was still in Canterbury, finishing the work on 6th October 1986. Alan's immediate musical thoughts were realised in a Threnody (Lament) in memory of his mother, who in the face of his father's fierce opposition had first arranged piano lessons for him and encouraged him to develop his musical gifts. The opening movement has all of the hallmarks of his style, clarity and simplicity of musical thought, open texture, simple but heartfelt vocal melodies, and a tonal or polytonal approach to harmony. First impressions, however, are deceptive as this moving Lento requires very sustained legato playing, big breaths and security in the altissimo register and it is also hard to judge and maintain the right speed. Try thinking in crotchets first before moving into an alla breve feeling of two-in-a-bar. The brief Scherzo is by contrast punchy, requiring attention to detail in articulation as well as good ensemble. In spite of marking the Finale in 2/2, the composer's crotchet metronome mark seems rather on the slow side. Whether the indicated crotchet = c.108 is a mistake, the music seems to work best at quaver = c.144-156, so those who want to cut a dash might like to try it a lot faster than c.108!