For solo piano and prerecorded electronics
Originally written as a studio composition in 2004 after a holiday in Nessebar, Bulgaria. It was titled ‘At the Gates of Nessebar’ with reference to the piper who plays standing on the ruined walls to the Old town. as people enter the town.
It is here rescored and amended for live solo piano (and electronics), as I have always thought it would be fascinating in live performance, with the bells sounds in particular enhancing the piano writing. The audio includes sounds from a Greek Orthodox church service which I attended, crickets, and a piper on the walls as aforementioned.
The piece is a kind of piano Fantasy in 2 sections; the first features the sonorous church bell outside Nessebar St. Stephen’s church (11th century Byzantine architecture). Now a museum since my visit, but restored, especially the lovely wall paintings.
The second section features a fast-moving figure alternating between the hands, and chords which augment the sounds of voices and bells in the church service. I was struck and inspired by the play of light on the stonework in an otherwise dark and mysterious environment.