Judith Bailey: Concert Overture Penwith

Born and raised in West Cornwall, Judith Bailey has always found inspiration in her early memories of the county, particularly its coast, gaunt cliffs and rugged hills. The overture Penwith was written in 1986. Right at the start, in the rising figures, can be sensed the cliffs which are Penwith's western and northern meeting with the Atlantic. After a slow (but not sedate) opening the pace quickens and the rising figures intensify. At length a more tranquil subject appears, a warm tune in the violins, but soon the woodwinds raise the intensity and lead to a return of the striving upward motifs, and the piece ends, literally on a high note.

Orchestration: 2 flutes, 2 oboes, 2 clarinets in B flat, 2 bassoons, 4 horns in F, 2 trumpets in B flat, 3 trombones, timpani, snare drum, cymbals, triangle, strings.

There is also a version for wind band.