That Crazed Smile

Notes

Commissioned by the Oberon Trio, That Crazed Smile is inspired by Shakespeare’s ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’. The work is a Fantasy piece set within a dream-like world. Interestingly, in the play the fairies are a reality, however, in contrast to ‘Romeo and Juliet’, for example, where it is believed (particularly by Mercutio) that fairies visit people’s dreams.

Set at night under the light of the moon, the piece moves through a dreamy section before reaching the gripping spellbound part of the piece, where it is as if the fairies are deviously casting spells onto the lovers in their dreams. Tightly controlled, the music continuously varies small motifs and melodies, spinning around on itself. The foolishness and self delusion of the lovers can be felt.