Arabescos was composed after a visit to the Alhambra in Granada, Spain. As a pattern maker myself - much of my music consists of patterns – I was enthused and inspired by the intricacy and beauty of the patterns and designs, and stunned at the scale of it all. 

 

Throughout the piece short phrases are spun into long lines, through variation and repetition: melodies evolve as musical cells twist and turn, forming recognisable shapes and patterns. These lines, which are mostly heard on the oboe, grow into contrasting paragraphs with different moods. And while the he oboe is clearly the soloist here, the piano provides an ever-changing backdrop, but occasionally explodes onto centre stage.