Sheet music in detail
The Affirmation
About the composer
Stephen ScotchmerStephen Scotchmer (*1955) studied music at the University of Bristol and conducting with Arthur Davison. During his many years as musical director of the Basingstoke Symphony Orchestra, he conducted a large part of the standard repertoire for both orchestra and choir, including performances of all of Beethoven's and Brahms's symphonies, "A Child of Our Time," and Verdi's Requiem. He had the privilege of working with some of Britain's finest musicians, including Lesley Garrett, Kathryn Stott, Anthony Marwood, Martin Roscoe, James Lisney, Natalie Clein, and Martino Tirimo.
As a composer, Scotchmer has written an extensive body of work in many different genres. His style is predominantly tonal, and the compositional techniques he employs are traditional. His interest lies more in the manipulation of the various musical elements that determine perceived expression in music than in the exploration of sound as a science.
The works for cello were written for his daughter, the cellist Lucy Scotchmer.
About the composition
Stephen Scotchmer: The Affirmation
Stephen Scotchmer:
"'The Affirmation' is a statement of my musical beliefs and values.
The initial dotted idea is angry, determined and assertive. It is heard three times throughout the composition, with a fragment from the theme making a final appearance in the penultimate bar. There is an unsettled central section
which culminates in a passionate climax. Once again, the music is drawn inexorably back to the first melody, but eventually the music loses its desire to fight and subsides albeit without submitting."