The Orrery

Instrumentation

String Quartet --- First performance in Derby Cathedral for the newly arranged Joseph Art Gallery

Score, download - 25.84MB

Other Information

This masterpiece of British art, Joseph Wright’s celebrated A Philosopher Lecturing on the Orrery [pictured left] was first exhibited in London in 1766 and inspired me in the writing of this quartet for The Music of Joseph Wright of Derby” concert to celebrate the reopening of the refurbished Joseph Wright Gallery at Derby’s Museum and Art Gallery. The Orrery’ was the second of three subject paintings by which he established his reputation as a highly original artist, specialising in the effects of artificial light. In this picture Wright depicts a contemporary scene of a scientific lecture. A red-gowned philosopher demonstrates the workings of the solar system using a clockwork model known as an Orrery. An oil lamp, its glass jar visible behind the foremost boy’s elbow, replicates the sun’s bright rays. A young girl points to Saturn and the shadow of a moon cast upon its surface, perhaps indicating that the subject of the demonstration is the causes and effects of eclipses. Wright added the unusual subject of a modern scientific lecture to the popular genre of the ‘conversation piece’, from which ‘The Orrery’ was adapted. Inquiry and learning are made to appear profound and deeply solemn by Wright’s dramatic use of light. By painting such serious and morally minded scenes, Wright aimed to make a place for himself as a serious artist, capable of producing complex works that were both instructive and highly relevant.

The conflict in this music is, in a sense, connected to the time of the picture. There was a great interest and a general sense of adventure in science and biology which was not always approved of by the established churches. Many were of the opinion that to delve into the unknown was dangerous, almost blasphemous in fact. Consequently the music reflects a sense of fear of the unknown - perhaps even the work of the devil. As I examined the painting in detail I could see that the outside edges are almost black and the light comes from a little lamp in the centre of the group. The figure of the lecturer is given larger-than-life importance. Perhaps the artist is really saying that science is the biggest thing yet, and believed by the Lunar Society as being the true enlightenment.

[Editor´s note: first page of each movement of The Orrery may be viewed at the end of the .pdf which includes a scan of the complete concert programme - click HERE]

1st Movement - Moderato

The quartet commences with a theme rising out of the cello. I see this as being about ‘The Enlightenment’ as in the biblical phrase “out of darkness comes light”. The movement continues with a great deal of conflict because, at that time, there were many who thought it was evil to study science and it was against God to study ethereal objects such as the planets.

2nd Movement - Allegretto

The second movement suggests the elegant lifestyles of the people in the picture and the niceties of an age of elegance. The painting suggests that they all seem to be dressed for travel. Mr Burdett is holding a tricorn hat in one hand, in his other hand a paper and pencil and also a little metal bugle or horn as was used in these days to sound the arrival of a coach and horses. Though they are in a room, it hints that they had travelled to the lecture in their heavy clothes. This movement is evocative, therefore, of a horse-drawn carriage especially as one can hear the suggestion of the clip-clop of horses in the pizzicato strings.

3rd Movement - Andante

In this movement there are many questions about the stars and the universe. There is also perhaps an anticipation of a better future with the hints of great mechanical improvements at Cromford Mill where great strides had been made in manufacturing. One can hear the click-clack of the machinery and the rhythm of mechanisation.

4th Movement - Allegro

A new age is born and untold wealth. In this movement, there is evident the sighs of the Indian Widow, the shovelling of The Earthstopper [both paintings by Joseph Wright], the sounds of the industrial movement throughout the country and also the exuberance of grand evenings with the Lunar Society. The music jogs along with the rhythm of a Royal Ball and dances to a climactic conclusion – an enlightenment in musical experience!