Clockwork Lemon
for solo snare drum + hi–hat
(2007)
duration: 6’
GRT • 130
audio sample
score available from
Rhythmscape
program note
This piece is an
exploration of rhythmic ratios. Some of these, like 2:3,
are standard syncopations but others, such as 5:8, are
quite unusual and even sound somewhat ‘wrong’. This is the
‘lemon’ factor. The irony is that in order to capture this
essence of ‘wrong’ they have to be played with clockwork
precision, hence the title 'Clockwork Lemon’. Of course, it
is also a playful reference to the film,
A Clockwork
Orange, directed
by the late Stanley Kubrick.
This piece for solo snare drum and hi–hat was commissioned
by Lyn, Tim and Kris Edward as a test piece for the MSO
snare drum award coordinated by Robert Cossom.
review
“A major highlight of the
evening was the premiere of a specially commissioned test
piece Clockwork Lemon by local composer, Stuart Greenbaum.
Friends’ members and Patrons Lyn, Tim and son Chris Edward
sponsored the work. All finalists were required to perform
Clockwork Lemon. It was a most interesting experience to
hear this work receive four quite different but equally
legitimate interpretations virtually side by side.
Clockwork Lemon is a technically demanding but at the same
time highly accessible work for an audience. It deserves a
continuing place in the snare drum repertoire.”
David Storer, In Tune, September 2008