Peach
2019, rev. 2020
Duration
9 min.
Instrumentation
1111 2110 11 0, strings
Commissioned by
Finnish National Opera and Ballet
Premiere by
Secession Orchestra, conducted by Clément Mao-Takacs
Production by La Chambre aux échos
Aug 31 2022
Helsinki, Finland
Peach paints a portrait of a moment or moments that evoke a feeling of a light and airy dream. In my mind it is a warm summer day, a bright flicker that makes things feel unreal and fills the body with pleasure, itching and tingling sensations.
The various meanings of the word ’peach’ have inspired the shape, colors, textures and associations of the work. Soft and round shapes as well as rich and luscious harmonies and melodies color a story that radiates gentleness, weightlessness, sensuality and juiciness. An intimate and tender moment takes shape, a place where things are given time to mature.
In the composition, I wanted to capture that place and a particular feeling that breathes deep in the summer air and its light breezes, awakes the senses and bursts sweetness like a fruit.
Past performances
Jan 21 2023
Asko|Schönberg
Conducted by Bas Wiegers
Concertgebouw, Grote Zaal, Amsterdam, Netherlands
Sep 3 2022
Secession Orchestra
Conducted by Clément Mao-Takacs
Production by La Chambre aux échos
Finnish National Opera and Ballet, Helsinki, Finland
Sep 2 2022
Secession Orchestra
Conducted by Clément Mao-Takacs
Production by La Chambre aux échos
Finnish National Opera and Ballet, Helsinki, Finland
Aug 31 2022
Secession Orchestra
Conducted by Clément Mao-Takacs
Production by La Chambre aux échos
Finnish National Opera and Ballet, Helsinki, Finland
Feb 6 2021 POSTPONED due to COVID-19
Sibelius Academy Symphony Orchestra
Conducted by Clément Mao-Takacs
Finnish National Opera and Ballet, Helsinki, Finland
Feb 5 2021 POSTPONED due to COVID-19
Sibelius Academy Symphony Orchestra
Conducted by Clément Mao-Takacs
Finnish National Opera and Ballet, Helsinki, Finland
Feb 3 2021 POSTPONED due to COVID-19
Sibelius Academy Symphony Orchestra
Conducted by Clément Mao-Takacs
Finnish National Opera and Ballet, Helsinki, Finland
Sheet Music
Schott Music
Schott Music GmbH & Co. KG
Weihergarten 5
55116 Mainz
info@schott-music.com
+49 6131 246-0
Press Quotes
“In honor of Jubilee, a new work had been commissioned by Sebastian Hilli, who seems to go from clarity to clarity. A ten-minute miniature is a grateful format, and in the new work Peach Hilli mainly explores textures and colors rather than melodic material. Here, the strings form a calm mat with small ripples on the surface, while the small, powerful color clicks stand out: some wild accents in the brass section, woodwinds ticking like small woodpeckers. The percussion colors are utilized clearly, so that every individual instrument gets its color heard, from timpani to tubular bells. The strings are also allowed to give their all in quantities of Bartók pizzicato, which slam in cascades of sharp shots. To my taste, Ekenäs church is still in the smaller side for the orchestral fireworks of Hilli. ”
Tove Djupsjöbacka, HBL, Aug 03 2019
Listen
Peach (original version for orchestra) performed by Helsinki Philharmonic, conducted by Jukka-Pekka Saraste: