Casken, John: From One Thread

for solo viola

From One Thread for solo viola is in a single movement but with three clearly defined sections that draw on the Baroque suite. The first section is a capricious Fantasia which is followed by a short Sarabande, rather stately but with irregular metres, and the piece ends with an urgent Courante. Writing for a solo instrument is about tracing a single line and this reminded me of the parallels with the visual arts, and in particular the work of the major English textile artist Alice Kettle, to whom the piece is dedicated. Considering the way she uses different materials in her work, Alice has said that “A piece can develop from one thread.” © John Casken