Friday Afternoons, Op. 7

Nico Muhly's Friday Afternoons for Upper Voices and Piano. Commissioned by Aldeburgh Music for the Friday Afternoons project. Duration: c. 15 minutes

Seasons and Charms is a collection of short pieces for young people's voices and piano commissioned by Aldeburgh Music for the Friday Afternoons Project.Inspired by Benjamin Britten Friday Afternoons is an initiative created by Snape Maltings (formerly Aldeburgh Music) to open up a world of singing for children and young people.

The Two Brothers is an arrangement by Nico Muhly of a story taken from the folk tale and nursery rhyme tradition. A simple yet stirring setting The Two Brothers is arranged for two-part children's Chorus and Piano accompaniment. The Two Brothers tells the story of two young boys whose dangerous play-fighting curiosity ends up in tragedy. The juxtapostion of the bright and beautiful voices at the beginning of the piece with the tragic ending and lyrics leaves a stark and lasting impression. When the lyrics turn violent a series of brilliant discords emanates from the Piano adding to the contrastbetween the voices the lyrics and the music.  An expertly-composed work Nico Muhly's The Two Brothers is a harrowing tale that never compromises on beauty. Commissioned for the Friday Afternoons project this is one composition that is likely to remain with you and your audiences for a long time.