Hindsight (Digital Download)

Hindsight is a work written by Marty Pervan for standard Recorder Quartet. It placed 2nd in the Orpheus Music Composition Competition 2020.

1. Cabinet Carnival

2. Isolation Melancholia

3. Multiplicity

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The Recorder Magazine Winter 2022

Sheet Music Reviews

Marty Pervan- Hindsight - SATB - Orpheus Music OMP316

Composed as a reaction to the Covid-19 pandemic, Hindsight was awarded second prize in the Orpheus Music Competition 2020. Each of the three movements deals with different aspect of the pandemic, providing a variety of moods and challenges for the players who share the musical interest. The brisk first movement, Cabinet Carnival,portrays the socio-political scene and chaos caused with tricky rhythms and note patterns (highly chromatic in places) contributing to the challenges for the ensemble. Slightly varied recurring sections hold the piece together. Isolation Melancholia expresses the psychological effects of lockdown: isolation, anxiety and depression with very brief moments of respite. All parts are moving mainly in stepwise patterns but independently of each other, producing a minor unchromatic feel which suggests a very melancholic sound world. 

The hectic final movement, Multiplicity, represents the multitasking required with working from home, devising online sessions, while also overseeing offspring's schoolwork etc. The three recurring contrasting sections vary in length: staccato crotchets 1 6/8 rhythm feel 1 staccato quavers. The latter are quite tricky in places, a reflection of the challenges. This movement is largely homo-rhythmic, parts working in pairs, or three together with one differing. More care should have been taken with the editing: there is no time signature right at the start-it can be found at bar 15 of the second movement. This is irritating. The very narrow spacing in the individual treble and tenor parts makes reading difficult. Biographical details of the composer are printed at the back but it is a shame that the composer's own description of his piece has not been included although this can be found on the internet. Suitable for experienced players both note and rhythm wise, and is worth working on. 

Reviewed by Ulli Burchette. 

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_Score 15 pp. Parts 4 pp. Downloadable PDF file_