…in the silence of the night (Op.27 No.4a)

3 minutes 30 seconds

This piece for trumpet and piano is a reworking of the song Echo from …too bitter sweet. The title is taken from the opening line of the poem.

Set in a modal version of F minor, the piece is overtly melodic, with the trumpet part in constant dialogue with the piano accompaniment.

While outwardly classical in style, …in the silence of the night evokes a 'Miles Davis' nocturnal mood.

Unusually, the trumpet is required to be muted throughout, creating sonorities that are generally employed more sparingly.

Two different mutes are utilised appropriately to enhance the prevailing atmosphere, which swings in turn between wistfulness and optimism.

Listen

You can listen to ...in the silence of the night on scoreexchange.com.

1 May 2010 at the Maytime Concert of Words and Music at St John’s Church, Batheaston, near Bath. Tom Ashby (trumpet)
7 May 2011 at Shotley Farm House, Harringworth, Northants for the composer’s 60th birthday celebration. Tom Ashby (trumpet)