Family Silver: Composed for the 25th birthday of the Chetham's International Piano Summer School

Adam Swayne

Family Silver: Composed for the 25th birthday of the Chetham's International Piano Summer School

Adam Swayne (Composer)

School of Keyboard Studies

Research output: Non-textual form › Composition

Abstract

In response to a commission for a piece of maximum three pages from the McLachlan family (who run the summer school together), the composition brings together several distinctive musical markers in only 25 bars. The first is the use of rosinated fishing wire on the piano stings to create a striking, silvery sound. The second is the use of a familiar anniversary melody, disguised within the musical texture. The third is the use of virtuosic piano writing, inspired by Ligeti's Etudes, drawing upon chromatic cluster chords and hand crossings. The fourth is the use of a circle of fifths to move through 12 tonal centres. Finally, these processes take place on a 'grand tour' from the treble strings to the lowest notes (and back again) in the space of a single minute.

Original language	English
Place of Publication	Manchester, U.K.
Publisher	Forsyth's
Edition	"25 for 25"
Media of output	Score
Size	2 pages
Publication status	Accepted/In press - 12 Aug 2026
Event	Premiere of "25 for 25": Faculty Concert CIPSS - Stoller Hall, Manchester, United Kingdom Duration: 20 Aug 2026 → 20 Aug 2026 https://pianosummerschool.com/event/25-for-25-part-two/

Keywords

commemoration
piano

Cite this

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title = "Family Silver: Composed for the 25th birthday of the Chetham's International Piano Summer School",

abstract = "In response to a commission for a piece of maximum three pages from the McLachlan family (who run the summer school together), the composition brings together several distinctive musical markers in only 25 bars. The first is the use of rosinated fishing wire on the piano stings to create a striking, silvery sound. The second is the use of a familiar anniversary melody, disguised within the musical texture. The third is the use of virtuosic piano writing, inspired by Ligeti's Etudes, drawing upon chromatic cluster chords and hand crossings. The fourth is the use of a circle of fifths to move through 12 tonal centres. Finally, these processes take place on a 'grand tour' from the treble strings to the lowest notes (and back again) in the space of a single minute.",

keywords = "commemoration, piano",

author = "Adam Swayne",

note = "The compendium will feature works by 25 composers in total.; Premiere of {"}25 for 25{"} : Faculty Concert CIPSS ; Conference date: 20-08-2026 Through 20-08-2026",

year = "2026",

month = aug,

day = "12",

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T2 - Premiere of "25 for 25"

A2 - Swayne, Adam

N1 - The compendium will feature works by 25 composers in total.

PY - 2026/8/12

Y1 - 2026/8/12

N2 - In response to a commission for a piece of maximum three pages from the McLachlan family (who run the summer school together), the composition brings together several distinctive musical markers in only 25 bars. The first is the use of rosinated fishing wire on the piano stings to create a striking, silvery sound. The second is the use of a familiar anniversary melody, disguised within the musical texture. The third is the use of virtuosic piano writing, inspired by Ligeti's Etudes, drawing upon chromatic cluster chords and hand crossings. The fourth is the use of a circle of fifths to move through 12 tonal centres. Finally, these processes take place on a 'grand tour' from the treble strings to the lowest notes (and back again) in the space of a single minute.

AB - In response to a commission for a piece of maximum three pages from the McLachlan family (who run the summer school together), the composition brings together several distinctive musical markers in only 25 bars. The first is the use of rosinated fishing wire on the piano stings to create a striking, silvery sound. The second is the use of a familiar anniversary melody, disguised within the musical texture. The third is the use of virtuosic piano writing, inspired by Ligeti's Etudes, drawing upon chromatic cluster chords and hand crossings. The fourth is the use of a circle of fifths to move through 12 tonal centres. Finally, these processes take place on a 'grand tour' from the treble strings to the lowest notes (and back again) in the space of a single minute.

KW - commemoration

KW - piano

M3 - Composition

PB - Forsyth's

CY - Manchester, U.K.

Y2 - 20 August 2026 through 20 August 2026

ER -

Family Silver: Composed for the 25th birthday of the Chetham's International Piano Summer School

Abstract

Keywords

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