Duddell, Joe: Ruby

Concerto for percussion and orchestra

Ruby was commissioned for the 2003 BBC Proms and was also played by the finalist in the BBC Young Musician of the Year in 2004. It was written in close collaboration with Colin Currie, its dedicatee and original soloist, and the percussion writing is musically subtle whilst stretching the soloist's technique to the limit. 'Duddell beholds to abstract formulation and melodic instruments [...] His invention might be termed Transatlantic. Michael Tippett is a clear (and wonderful) influence in the 'cool' strands and affecting lyricism. (Colin Anderson. The Classical Source. 2003)