To Jennie

As the title suggests, Adagio is cast in the tradition of the late-Romantic symphonic slow movement, with its carefully measured pacing combined with a dramatic use of weight and drive. In particular, Adagio has a special relationship with the slow movements of Mahler’s symphonies. This relationship is present at different levels and to different degrees at various points in the piece, ranging from the use of generally expressive gestures to explicit “quotations” (particularly from the Andante of Symphony No. 6). Perhaps the most easily perceived Mahlerian trait in Adagio is the use of randomly struck cowbells which permeate the Sixth and Seventh Symphonies.

[vi-26]

Adagio was realized in the summer of 1985 in the Electroacoustic Music Studios of the University of Birmingham (England, UK) and premiered on December 11, 1985 in the Elgar Concert Room at the University of Birmingham. Adagio was awarded the 1986 EMAS / PRS Prize.

Premiere

• December 11, 1985, The Birmingham Connection, Elgar Concert Room — Faculty of Arts Building — University of Birmingham, Birmingham (England, UK)