About ‘Solicitudo’:
The backdrop to this piece is the narrative of how elderly, vulnerable and disabled people were treated across the timescales of the pandemic, when facing critical illness. There were times when relatives were contacted and asked to sign DNR orders, by a doctor, on behalf of an incapacitated patient. This has sparked the process of an Inquiry to protect the rights of vulnerable people which had been violated. The attitude to do away with some patient’s lives if they were of a certain age seemed to be prevalent, rather than trying to treat their condition, during the pandemic.

This piece strives to capture in a microcosm, the journey of a patient who straddles delirium, Parkinson’s, and loss of mobility: whilst relatives experience anxiety, concern, uneasiness, watchful concern and solicitude.

The structure of the piece is ternary form, opening section A, with a dreamy, lyrical theme. In section B there are rising themes which are shrill and articulated with tremolando indications after which there are moments of silence. This section strives to capture the struggle, the anxiety, and fears that a patient has to grapple with in trying to stand to walk, or sit: in an attempt to deal with embracing mobility. Silences are very much a part of this piece. During the pandemic, there were many scenarios, where there were conversations in clinical settings, with patients and relatives. After these events, there were silences. Silences of contemplation of questions about what comes next? What will be the outcome for this patient whose mobility is disappearing? Anxiety, concern, uneasiness, watchful concern become part of these silent episodes.

The final section brings back the theme that was present in the beginning (section A), however here the character of the theme has changed as it is tinged with more dissonance, as well as interruptions with moments of silence. Section A here is indicating the change in the patient’s condition……where the patient and relatives have to contend with the change in the patients condition, on a journey of anxiety, concern, uneasiness, with watchful concern and solicitude (as each person is locked in their own experience of this journey during the pandemic).
-Philip Herbert

LEARN MORE: Watch the VQChat with Philip and the Villiers Quartet about the background to ‘Solicitudo’:

About #VQFromHome:
In 2021 we commissioned a group of UK-based composers to reflect how they experienced life ‘From Home’ in this turbulent year. As a quartet specialising in British music, we were keen to explore the voices of composers in today’s Britain, and to hear how they were affected by the pandemic. Reaching out to our collaborators gave us great hope during these difficult times. The From Home project significantly opened our eyes and ears to understand how music could bring people together in a shared expression, especially as we tackled questions about identity, culture, race, diversity, and how our creative lives were affected by the destructive and transformative events of this year.

Video by Dan Redding
Sound Production and Engineering by Adam Binks
Lighting by DCLX

About Philip Herbert:
Philip Herbert is an award winning composer who studied music in the UK and the USA. He has enjoyed a portfolio career as an educator, composer and musician, writing vocal music and instrumental music which has been performed by ensembles such as the BBC Singers, the Philharmonia, Chineke!, Royal Ballet Sinfonia, the Sphinx Virtuosi, Detroit, Houston orchestras to name a few, as well as being a part of projects which have been broadcast on BBC Radio 2, 3 and 4 as well as BBC 2 TV. He has current commissions from Mish Mash Productions, Spitalfields Festival 2021, Minnesota Orchestra, the Nevis Ensemble, EMI Production Music and a Quartet movement for Des Oliver’s, LSO Jerwood Residency, showcase.
#PhilipHerbert

We thank our collaborators and supporters for their help in this project. ‘From Home’ has been supported by Arts Council England, the Oxford Humanities Cultural Programme, the Ralph Vaughn Williams Charitable Trust, and supporters of the VQ From Home Commissioning Fund.

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