78 by Katrien Bos is lively and rhythmic, full of engaging music and energy which makes it a perfect piece for all types of audiences. The additional percussion adds another dimension to a piece which is brimming with fun and good humour. The composer is happy for the players to repeat sections as they choose and to create a performance which is truly unique.
Katrien Bos writes: “Since my childhood I was inspired by Eastern-European folk music and fascinated by different time signatures such as 7/8 or 11/8. This music has a certain natural swing in it which I really like. It reminds me of the warmth of my childhood when my parents played in a folk music group and my mother used to folk dance. They also took me to summer camps where many people played folk music from different parts of the world.
This piece also refers to my year of birth: 1978 and the title also reflects this and is in 7/8 time.”
78 was premiered at Wells Cathedral School (Somerset, UK) on Sunday 3 December 2017 by Alex Heather, Eloine Vatteville, David Heyes, Connie McDonnell, Tom Mahoney and Jan Cowell.