Bedford: In Black Bright Ink for bass clarinet, violin, violoncello and piano, for bass clarinet, violin, violoncello and piano

…where, alack,
Shall time’s best jewel from time’s chest lie hid?
Or what strong hand can hold his swift foot back?
Or who his spoil of beauty can forbid?
O, none, unless this miracle have might,
That in black ink my love may still shine bright.

William Shakespeare, Sonnet 65

The piece focuses on the gradual development of a simple oscillating figure first heard in the lowest octave of the piano. These deep notes dominate the texture of the piece – indeed the left hand of the piano never leaves the lowest octave at any point. The opening sounds also informed the choice of instruments: the cello and bass clarinet complement the dark tones of the piano and only the violin plays higher pitches. 

As the piece develops, fragments of melody gradually appear in the cello and bass clarinet, before passing on to the violin. In the final section, the oscillating figuration breaks down, leaving a skeletal series of chords with higher harmonics emerging from them. 

In Black Bright Ink is dedicated to Jackie and Stephen Newbould.