Work Listing

Bad Neighbours

2017

Catherine Likhuta

(1981–)
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Description:

Bad Neighbours (2017) is a chamber concerto for two horn soloists and horn quartet, commissioned by Horn Hounds (Peter Luff and Ysolt Clark, Australia). The solo parts are aimed at professional players or graduate students, and the quartet parts are suitable for undergraduate students, though would be engaging for established performers as well. The piece was originally planned for two horns and piano, for the world premiere by Horn Hounds at the 49th International Horn Symposium in Brazil. However, we decided collectively to change the instrumentation before I began composing in order to feature not just Peter and Ysolt but also four of their students at this important international event. I was born and raised in Ukraine, so you can guess which bad neighbours I am talking about… As the piece is inspired by the (most recent) war and invasion from Ukraine’s ultimate “bad neighbour”, it features numerous musical dialogues, arguments, and even fights. It mixes an overall sense of tension and determination with moments of sadness and mourning. Above all, however, it is about fighting for freedom and independence. I embraced my ethnic heritage in this work, consciously incorporating Ukrainian folk modes and angular rhythms from folk dances, mixing them with the characteristic elements of my compositional style, such as jazz influences, metre changes, and overall virtuosity. The 1st horn soloist represents Ukraine and has several solo moments which, to me, sound like the singing of Ukrainian folk tunes. The recommended positioning of the soloists is opposite each other, with the quartet lined up in one row, in the middle.

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Publication Details:

Self-published

Works By This Composer

Bad NeighboursBad Neighbours20176 horns (2 solo horns and 4 horns)
Fanfare for Eight HornsFanfare for Eight Horns20198 horns
Hard to ArgueHard to Argue20145 horns