Aileen Sweeney Above the Stars

PROGRAMME NOTES CONTINUED

2020 sees the 250th anniversary of Beethoven’s birth, but it is also the year that the UK leaves the European Union. ‘Ode to Joy’ from Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony has been used as a European anthem since 1972. It expresses the ideals of a united Europe: freedom, peace and solidarity, but more recently it has been used in protest against the UK leaving the EU. Despite Scotland voting with a 62% majority to remain in the EU, Scotland will leave the EU along with the rest of the UK. This piece explores Scotland’s unique relationship with the EU from within the UK, which is why I drew upon strong influences from Scottish folk music. Scottish modes and rhythmic features are used prominently throughout the piece, especially in the string section where slides, scotch snaps, grace notes and a fiddle solo are used to capture this idea of Scotland’s political voice. The ‘Ode to Joy’ theme is used solely in the final section of the piece. The theme remains perfectly intact but is played at various speeds and registers layered on top of one another meaning it is heavily disguised. The theme is first heard in the harp and then subsequently in the vibraphone, cello and bassoon. “Above the Stars” is a snippet of text taken from the English translation of ‘Ode to Joy’. The title nods towards the 12 stars of the European flag, the number 12 being the symbol of perfection and entirety.

Aileen Sweeney

born 1994 Aileen is a Scottish composer and accordionist based in Glasgow. She is currently studying for her MMus degree in Composition at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland. She is grateful to have received scholarships from The Dewar Arts Fund, The Countess of Munster Musical Trust, The Cross Trust and The North Lanarkshire Arts Award. In 2017 Aileen graduated from the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland with a First Class BMus (Hons) in Performance. During her undergraduate degree, she was awarded the Geddes-Peterson Prize for composition. Aileen’s music is cross-genre, infused with the ornamentation, energy and colours of the Scottish folk music she grew up playing. Her inspiration comes from stories, as well as current social and political topics she is passionate about such as climate change, equality and politics. She has worked with ensembles such as Red Note Ensemble, Hebrides Ensemble, Psappha, the Edinburgh Quartet and the Brodick Quartet. As an accordionist she has performed with some of Scotland’s leading contemporary music ensembles such as Ensemble Thing and NOISE Opera. In 2016 she founded the folk-fusion band Eriska, who launched their debut album At the Wrong Gig in 2018 and are releasing their latest EP this year. aileensweeney.com