research
activity and articles
Current research activity includes the
production of a playing edition of the quartets of Joseph Gibbs and the
recording and performance of the
Paul Patterson String Quartet.
Any additional research papers and
articles will be posted here when available.
Six Quartettos by Joseph Gibbs:
Publication, Recording and Performance
Project Outline:
The editing and publication, recording and performance of six Quartettos by
Joseph Gibbs
Introduction:
Joseph Gibbs was born in Colchester in 1698. It is likely he lived in
Colchester until he was appointed organist at Dedham in 1744. In 1748, he
took up the post of organist and choirmaster at St. Mary-le-Tower in Ipswich
where he stayed until his death in 1788
The Six Quartettos:
These works were published in London in 1777 by Thomson. Unusually for works
of this genre in the country, they seem to be specifically written to two
violins, tenor (sic) and cello, rather than the all-encompassing
instrumentation seen often at this time. If so, they are probably the first
examples of an “English” string quartet. This publication of these works was
the only one. The manuscripts were given to the Ipswich record office in
1923 where they now reside.
Project Details:
- Using the original manuscripts, to
edit and publish a current set of parts and score for the six Quartettos.
- To record them in a local venue
significance (either St. Mary-le-Tower or Orford church if the former is
not suitable)
- To perform them publicly
© Mark Messenger: 22nd August 2001
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The String Quartet by Paul Patterson:
Recording and Performance
Project Outline:
The world premier recording and subsequent performance of this seminal work
in the 20th Century quartet genre
Introduction: Since his arrival in the mid-1960s,
Paul Patterson has been one of the most prominent and widely respected
figures on the British compositional scene. Unusually enquiring and
open-minded even within his generation of composers, he has long been an
instrumental force in ridding the British compositional scene of any
elements of insularity and narrow-mindedness. This achievement finds a
reflection both in his long-standing activity as a teacher and in his music
which, if unquestionably British in inflection, is just as unmistakably
international in outlook.
The String Quartet:
The string quartet was written in 1983 with the assistance of the Bingham
String Quartet, and though remaining universally popular it has remained
unrecorded.
Project Details:
The genesis for this project resides in
the current position Paul Patterson holds as external examiner for the CMPA
at Colchester Institute.
- To rehearse and work with the
composer to rehearse, prepare and update parts for a recording of the
string quartet
- To perform the quartet at the
Colchester Institute, possibly as part of a mini-festival or concert of
Paul Patterson’s work (December 2001)
© Mark Messenger: 22nd August 2001