Succubus is a term that dates from the Middle Ages and refers
to a demon that takes a feminine form to ravage men and women in their
sleep, inducing erotic visions and nightmares. Along with its
counterpart, the Incubus, these demons were thought to be the cause of
the half-sleep state in which one cannot wake and feels the presence of
a supernatural being.
Succubus
is a six-movement tone poem for violin, soprano and electric orchestra.
It is an exploration of the sensual and surrealistic dreamscapes of the
Succubus and her lover. The music features the voluptuous and mysterious
voice of Kerry Walsh and the sinuous violin playing of Karen Bentley
entwined in a dark and erotic dance of love and desire.
Konzerto is the reinvention of the great romantic violin
concertos of the 19th century. Combining the virtuoso solo violin
playing of Karen Bentley with Stuart Diamond's contemporary electronics,
synthesizers and midi sequencing,
Konzerto creates a new and lyric music that simultaneously
looks back to the past as well as daringly to the future. Rigorous in
its compositional structure, yet endlessly inventive,
Konzerto features both written and improvised passages for
the solo violin that soar over a rich and dramatic soundscape to find a
spontaneous and original musical language all its own.
