Description

Short Programme Note (further detailed notes can be found in the score).

Triumph Over Adversity tackles the subject of bullying. Like many, I was severely bullied at school, so this depicts bullying in a school situation: but bullying can happen anywhere, at any time and any stage of life.

The piece opens with the “bully theme”,  and the first section is based upon this, which includes periodic vocal whispered voices: the “silent whispers” that disquiet the victim; “what are they whispering about me? What are they plotting?” Music, the solace, in the form of themes of my early pieces weave in and out sporadically. Gradually, these take over, with themes from what I feel to be personal musical significances or milestones for me. The constant ridicule, (often for what you were not good at, such as sport) being opposed by these musical mini triumphs. The bully theme tries to re-appear, but is now “squashed”, and it is gradually infiltrated by the “Triumph Theme”. Finally, the bully theme is overpowered by the huge Theme of Triumph, and in the last bar, is quite inaudible. My particular triumph, over adversity…but this pieces is for all such victims of bullying. The piece is dedicated to a school tutor, who devoted lunchtimes to helping me notate my music, and who gave the quiet support I needed to help me through at the time. These are also references to a musical theme of my Mum’s, to mark her devoted support too.