Gem [CF:PE136]

Gem was commissioned by pianist Nicola Melville, in memory of her teacher Judith Clark. This mysterious work is a contemplative rubato journey, predominantly along the black keys of the piano. Short flourishes of notes reach into the instrument's upper register, releasing notes in delicate droplets, particularly affecting when decorating the work's searching theme. Accelerated ascending runs lead to a climax of tumbling high register figures in contrary motion with the left hand.