LAND OF FIRE

Op.6 1971

David Hellewell

LAND OF FIRE is so-called because of its mighty and sustained power. This can be likened to the sustained heat and eruptions of an active volcanic lava field. “Fire-Power” is the word!
However, this extra-musical descriptive programme, whilst quite genuine, was created by purely musical means, and Hellewell unites and transforms disparate musical material - in this case of Jazz, Rock, Baroque and Slavic idioms - into a unique musical unity.
There are many interconnected sections with such titles as a gospel/blues “Call and Response”, “ Cantabile, but with a solid rhythm”, “Baroque-Rock”, “Heavy Rock”, “Smouldering”, “Fan the Flames”, “Wild Rock” and “Heavy Thrusting” etc. all accumulating and contributing to the mighty power of the piece-like colliding tectonic plates and massive eruptions. The piece ends with a tremendous climax and crescendo, ffff.