PF2023 Brochure - Flipbook - Page 9
SARAH FRANCES JENKINS (b 1998)
Tincture of the Skies
1 Expansive, free
2 Resonant, dark
3 Freely, singing
Tincture of the Skies is a three movement suite for solo
violin, each is inspired by a different section of The
Rape of the Lock, Alexander Pope’s narrative poem
written in 1712. The piece as a whole explores the
essence of the different atmospheres, colours and
images found within the poem.
The first movement of the piece was commissioned
by Tŷ Cerdd and the BBC NOW (as part of the CoDI
one2one scheme in 2020) and was premiered online
by violinist Nicholas Whiting. Tincture of the Skies is
now been extended into a multi-movement work for
the Presteigne Festival.
I
Dipp’d in the richest tincture of the skies,
Where light disports in ever-mingling dyes,
While ev’ry beam new transient colours flings,
Colours that change whene’er they wave their wings.
Sarah Frances Jenkins is a composer and
clarinettist based in the UK. She strives to
create dynamic, heartfelt, collaborative musical
experiences that bring people together. Since
winning BBC Young Composer in 2017, Sarah
has been commissioned by ensembles and
organisations such as the BBC Concert Orchestra,
BBC NOW, Cheltenham Festival and her music
has been broadcast on BBC Radio 3. Most
recently, Sarah has completed new works for the
Presteigne Festival, Corbridge Chamber Music
Festival (for clarinettist Robert Plane), Psappha
Ensemble and the 2021 Vale of Glamorgan
Festival, where Sarah was a featured composer.
A passionate believer in the power of music
education, Sarah has been a BBC Proms Inspire
Ambassador since 2017, where she helps to
facilitate creative music workshops for young
people. Sarah graduated from the Royal Welsh
College of Music and Drama with the Principal’s
Award for Music in July 2020. In September 2020,
Sarah began a postgraduate degree at the Royal
College of Music. Her studies are supported by
a Royal College of Music Scholarship and a Help
Musicians UK Postgraduate Award.
II
Some to the sun their insect-wings unfold,
Waft on the breeze, or sink in clouds of gold.
Transparent forms, too fine for mortal sight,
Their fluid bodies half dissolv’d in light.
III
Some guide the course of wand’ring orbs on high,
Or roll the planets through the boundless sky.
Pursue the stars that shoot athwart the night,
But what, or where, the fates have wrapt in night.
From Canto II, The Rape of the Lock,
by Alexander Pope (1688-1744)
Sarah Frances Jenkins
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