Anna Clyne's This Midnight Hour
This Midnight Hour by British composer Anna Clyne is a mesmerising orchestral work that captivates audiences with its evocative soundscapes. Co-commissioned by the Orchestre national d'Île-de-France and the Seattle Symphony, this piece premiered on November 13, 2015, at the Théâtre Espace Coluche in Plaisir, France, under the baton of Enrique Mazzola. Since its debut, This Midnight Hour has been celebrated for its dynamic emotional range and innovative orchestration.
The Composer: Anna Clyne
Described as a “composer of uncommon gifts and unusual methods” by the New York Times and as “fearless” by NPR, GRAMMY-nominated Anna Clyne is one of the most in-demand composers today, working with orchestras, choreographers, filmmakers, and visual artists around the world. Clyne was named by Bachtrack as one of the top ten most performed contemporary composers in the world and the most performed living female British composer in both 2022 and 2023.
Clyne has been commissioned and presented by the world’s most dynamic and revered arts institutions, including the Barbican, Carnegie Hall, Kennedy Center, Los Angeles Philharmonic, MoMA, Philharmonie de Paris, Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra, San Francisco Ballet, and the Sydney Opera House; and her music has opened such events as the Edinburgh International Festival, The Last Night of the Proms, and the New York Philharmonic’s season. The World Economic Forum commissioned Clyne’s Restless Oceans, which was premiered by an all-women orchestra, led by Marin Alsop, at the opening ceremony in Davos.
Clyne often collaborates on creative projects across the music industry, including Between the Rooms, a film with choreographer Kim Brandstrup and LA Opera, as well as The Nico Project at the Manchester International Festival, a stage work about pop icon Nico’s life that featured Clyne’s reimagining of The Marble Index for orchestra and voices. Clyne has also reimagined tracks from Thievery Corporation’s The Cosmic Game for the electronica duo with orchestra, and her music has been programmed by such artists as Björk. Other recent collaborators include such notable musicians as Jess Gillam, Jeremy Denk, Martin Fröst, Pekka Kuusisto, and Yo-Yo Ma.
Read more at annaclyne.com/about
The Composition: A Journey Through Poetry and Imagination
Cast in a single 12-minute movement, This Midnight Hour takes inspiration from two contrasting poems: La Musica by Juan Ramón Jiménez and Harmonie du soir by Charles Baudelaire. Despite these influences, Clyne emphasises that the work does not follow a specific narrative. Instead, she envisions it as a "visual journey" for the listener, inviting each audience member to create their own unique experience of the music.
Orchestration: A Palette of Sound
Clyne’s orchestration for This Midnight Hour is as expansive as its emotional scope. The piece is scored for a large orchestra, including:
- Woodwinds: 2 flutes, piccolo, 2 oboes, 2 clarinets, and 2 bassoons
- Brass: 4 horns, 2 trumpets, 3 trombones, and a tuba
- Strings and percussion: Timpani, 2 percussionists, and strings
This rich instrumentation enables Clyne to explore a vast array of textures, from stormy, driving rhythms to moments of tender lyricism.
Critical Reception: A Dynamic Range of Perspectives
This Midnight Hour has evoked a wide spectrum of critical responses, with reviewers often praising its accessibility, emotional depth, and cinematic qualities.
- Robert Beale of The Arts Desk described the piece as "accessible music" with "recognisable chords" and thrilling instrumentation. He highlighted its "filmic" qualities, including lush string melodies and traditional brass harmonies.
- Sarah Bryan Miller of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch praised its emotional range, likening the opening’s low-string motif to "someone running steadily in darkness," contrasted with hymn-like melodies.
- Chuck Lavazzi of KDHX-FM celebrated the work’s creativity, pointing to its "tipsy dance" sections and nostalgic themes reminiscent of Edith Piaf. He concluded, "It’s an engaging piece that demonstrates newer music need not sound like a mathematical exercise."
Why This Midnight Hour Matters
Anna Clyne’s This Midnight Hour is a testament to the power of modern orchestral music to evoke vivid imagery and profound emotion. Whether experienced as a "visual journey" or a cinematic adventure, the piece offers audiences a thrilling blend of tradition and innovation.
For those who value orchestral music that challenges yet invites, This Midnight Hour promises an unforgettable auditory experience. Don't miss the opportunity to hear this contemporary gem in the hands of ANAM’s talented musicians.
Explore the power of This Midnight Hour at our Gala Orchestra concert 21 March 2025 at Melbourne Recital Centre, conducted by the world renowned maestro Asher Fisch.