Five Sketches for Viola (1984)

I have always had a particular affection for the viola with its dark tone-colour and its unlimited expressive range. I have tried in these pieces to explore that range and to make them well varied in rhythm and content. The note E, with which the work begins and ends, serves as a sort of point d’appui all through.

Five Sketches was commissioned by Nicholas Logie and first performed by him on 31 May 1984 at the Wigmore Hall, London.

Elizabeth Maconchy