Say Hello to Alfred

Say Hello to Alfred (2011)

Premiered by Contemporary Music Venture - Bristol in the Victoria Rooms, Bristol on May 2nd 2012.

Written for Open Ensemble.

The piece's title comes from the many posters seen in Bristol Museum encouraging children of all ages and their parents to visit the main attraction; a stuffed gorilla named Alfred. Alongside the collection of taxidermy is a collection of middle to late-nineteenth century Pianos which I have always wished to examine.

However, I have a terrible fear of all taxidermy; a taxi-phobia if such a condition exists. Ever since I can remember I have had a fear of stuffed and dead animals with no one occasion standing out meaning that I have never been able to examine the pianos situated opposite the cases of taxidermy.

I tried again to see the pianos during a recent visit to the museum but froze still before I even reached the top of the stairs.

This piece is an exploration of the feelings I felt during that visit and also my first visit to the museum over three years ago.