From the composer:
In writing Reaching Out I wanted to create a work where the musical argument was based on rhythm, dynamics and phrasing, on a level equal to that of, say, a string quartet, rather than merely exploiting the instruments' tonal characteristics.The inspiration for the title was sparked by suggestions from the work's sponsor, British Telecom, concerning the progress achieved through the expansion of telecommunications in Scotland, and to the islands in particular. The work begins with quiet playing of bongos in the centre of a semicircle; as the music progresses the performer moves to the adjacent drums in both directions, eventually “reaching out” to encompass all the instruments.
In writing Reaching Out I wanted to create a work where the musical argument was based on rhythm, dynamics and phrasing, on a level equal to that of, say, a string quartet, rather than merely exploiting the instruments' tonal characteristics.The inspiration for the title was sparked by suggestions from the work's sponsor, British Telecom, concerning the progress achieved through the expansion of telecommunications in Scotland, and to the islands in particular. The work begins with quiet playing of bongos in the centre of a semicircle; as the music progresses the performer moves to the adjacent drums in both directions, eventually “reaching out” to encompass all the instruments.