Salad Undressing

OMP094 Benjamin Thorn Salad Undressing

This charmingly titled, four-movement work was written for Jodie Goldney and Georg Martens-Moussa.  The first movement begins with a highly melismatic Moderato, where the recorder weaves over a pedal C with pizzicato Gs in the 'cello.  After ten bars this makes way for Presto in 7/8 with such a breathless feel to it; especially where the division of the 7 beats alters from 3+2+2 to 2+2+3 and back again!

The second movement is marked "Gently" and, although in 8/8, has a strong Siciliana feel to it.  As with the opening movement, thorough and careful counting is essential to achieve a satisfactory ensemble with the 'cello.  As the movement progresses the quavers give way to predominantly semiquaver motion.  This is followed by the third movement, a lilting 6/8.  Like the rest of the piece this has a key signature of 3 flats, but this has a more modal character to its C minor home and is therefore very folk song-like.  The finale is another Presto, but with a 9/8 time signature.  However, this is a 9/8 with a difference - many of the bars are divided into a 3/4 + 3/8 rhythm.  This provides tremendous rhythmic drive and tension.

Salad Undressing is certainly a well-conceived piece for players with a secure technique and sure-footed rhythmic awareness.  I imagine that this excellent new work will receive many exciting performances in concerts and festivals over the next few years.

Adam J Dopadlik, The Recorder Magazine, Autumn 2003

OMP094 Benjamin Thorn Salad Undressing

Except for the opening section of the first movement (which offers an enchanting, highly ornamented cadenza a la Greek wedding music, played by the recorder over the 'cellos drone), Thorn's Salad Undressing is a true duet with both instruments as equal partners.  The entire piece is in c minor and has an exciting odd-meter dynamism typical of many of Thorn's works.  Though the content of the four movements is fairly similar, each will have a different impact upon the listener due to their differences in tempo. 

The edition is very good, and the music is worth checking out.