Panaura

...One of Kokoro's most exciting and interesting projects to date...

Kevin Field, Musical Director, Kokoro

The composer rehearsing the off-stage orchestra, Great Hall, Dartington. Photo: Kate Mount

The three movements of this orchestral work are made up of just one melody. In the first movement, it appears on a succession of solo instruments: cello, clarinet, violin, viola and piccolo, each time accompanied by different pulsating chords or sustained notes from the rest of the orchestra. In the second movement the tune is passed around the percussion instruments and brass, using antiphonal effects between the stage and the balcony. The third movement piles up the melody from the top downwards to build towards an enormous climax, from which point the music dies away to the cello solo that began the piece.

Panaura was especially written in 1999 for Kokoro and substantially revised for a second performance on 29th October 2006. Both performances took place in the Great Hall in the Dartington estate in South Devon, conducted by Mark Forkgen. Students and staff of the college and other local musicians joined forces with the ensemble to surround the audience with musical sound.

Christopher Best Panaura (2006) - Full score sample
How to purchase 

Study score available for FREE download. Set of orchestral parts £30 via Paypal (COMING SOON)

Published 
2006
Original version 
1999
Opus 
51
Duration 
c.13 mins
Instrumentation 
5 or more Flutes (1 doubling Piccolo), 3 or more Oboes, 5 or more Clarinets, 3 or more Soprano Saxophones, Tenor Saxophone, 2 Trumpets, Trombone, Tuba, 4 Percussion, Piano, Keyboard, Harp, 4 Electric Guitars, Electric Bass, Strings
Listen 

Christopher Best Panaura (Movement 1 extract).mp3

Christopher Best Panaura (Movement 1 extract)
First performance 
2006 version first performed by Kokoro and members of Dartington College of Arts, conducted by Mark Forkgen; Great Hall, Dartington, October 2006.
Commissioned by