In 1835, Jacques-François Gallay regarded as one of the last great hand horn players, composed Douze Grands Caprices which embody the capabilities of the instrument in its most virtuosic form. In the past few decades there has been a renewed interest in hand horn playing, with an increasing number of horn players now pursuing historical horns as a specialisation. A new generation of players has emerged, capable of pushing beyond the boundaries and perceived capabilities encapsulated by Gallay in his Caprices. This project aims to expand the repertoire for hand horn and reflect the current capabilities of the modern-day hand horn player and the diverse musical aesthetics of our time: a set of 12 new works for solo hand horn – in response to Gallay’s Caprices – were commissioned from 12 living composers.
In Caprice Reimagined, UK based natural hornist Isaac Shieh presents the fruits of his ambitious and commendable commissioning project for solo works on his instrument. Pairing the new works by a range of composers including Dai Fujikura, Michael Finnissy, Timo Andres, and Scott Wollschleger, with a seminal set of 12 Caprices by 19th century composer Jacques-François Gallay, Shieh brings this period instrument into the present with virtuosity, creativity, and passionate advocacy.
The project is supported using public funding by Arts Council England as well as The Nicholas Boas Charitable Trust.
Commissions
Michael Finnissy
Six caprices (2021-2022) - Premiere: 20th June 2022, The Recital Hall, Royal Birmingham Conservatoire, Birmingham, UK, at the 12th Biennial International Conference on Music Since 1900
Dai Fujikura
ele (2021) - Premiere: 4th November 2021, Angela Burgess recital hall, Royal Academy of Music, London, UK
Rockey Sun Ketíng
Chuān II (2022) - Premiere: 8th April 2022, Susie Sainsbury Theatre. Royal Academy of Music, London, UK, at the European Platform for Artistic Research in music 2022
Robin Haigh
DOCK LEAF (2022) - Premiere: 8th July 2023, casa menotti, spoleto, Italy, AT THE 10TH EDITION OF MUSICA DA CASA MENOTTI, AS PART OF THE 66TH SPOLETO FESTIVAL DEI DUE MONDi
Grace-Evangeline Mason
In the garden of a museum (2022) - Premiere: 27th April 2022, St Mary le strand Church, London, UK
Amanda Cole
Fabric of the Universe (2024) - Premiere: 20th October 2024, City Lit - Recital Room, London, UK, as part of Bloomsbury Festival
Lloyd Coleman
Sgraffito (2023) - Premiere: 27th September 2023, Angela Burgess recital hall, Royal Academy of Music, London, UK
Scott Wollschleger
You are perfect just as you are (2023) - Online Premiere: 2nd February 2024
Timo Andres
Loud ciphers (2022) - Online Premiere: 1st August 2022
James B. Wilson
Chroma-Maxima (2024) - Premiere: 25th September 2024, Pförtnerhaus, Stella Vorarlberg Private University College for Music, Feldkirch, Austria
Electra Perivolaris
The Mastic Orchard (2023) - Premiere: 8th July 2023, casa menotti, spoleto, Italy, AT THE 10TH EDITION OF MUSICA DA CASA MENOTTI, AS PART OF THE 66TH SPOLETO FESTIVAL DEI DUE MONDi
Georgia Scott
The Ghost in the machine (2024) - Premiere: 23rd March 2024,Trio Lorenz Hall, Academy of Music, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia, at the European Platform for Artistic Research in music 2024
