This piece is dedicated to Bridget Smith who played clarinet with the NCWO for 30 years
A joint commission by Bridget Smith, Tracy Woods and the North Cheshire Wind Orchestra through its commissioning scheme.
Latchford Locks is a continuous set of variations that references the physical and historical path of the Manchester Ship Canal. There are two basic themes, the first a 19th century song written to promote investment in the project which – doing what it says on the can – is called ‘The Manchester Ship Canal’, the second a long winding theme that begins about two minutes in.
The sections are:
Prologue – The People’s Canal: the original ideal of the canal, in my mind a misty, half formed dream. This is the only time you hear the whole of the Ship Canal song which then reappears but gradually disintegrates as the piece progresses.
Latchford Locks: the ‘proper’ theme – starts with a clarinet and tuba duet and is the heart of the piece.
Boggy Stream Polka: The name Latchford derives from the Anglo Saxon for ‘Boggy Stream’. Trombones begin this section.
The Way To Pomona: Pomona was the Roman goddess of fruitfulness and the name of a dock on the Canal. It is currently a derelict island promoted by the City of Manchester as a film location for gritty dramas. Pomona is depicted initially by three lamenting flutes.
Stoney Sluices: a waltz commencing lightly with the four saxophones but getting increasingly frenetic – and ultimately violent. A brief return to the ‘Pomona’ music leads to…
Old Warps: The entire orchestra bends two chords in a moment of stasis. Serendipitously, I discovered the section of the canal called ‘Old Warps’ after I’d written this section.
Black Bear was a canal that ran from Runcorn to Latchford, now filled in and a park I believe. This segment (the longest) begins with a caxixi (a kind of shaker) solo. Its energy gradually increases and material first heard in the ‘Boggy Stream Polka’ is transformed into a dance groove and leads to a quiet, unsettled coda.
Latchford Locks was commissioned by Tracy Woods, NCWO and Bridget Smith to whose memory this piece is dedicated.
North Cheshire Wind Orchestra conducted by Andrew Mallon perform the world premiere of Gary Carpenter's Latchford Locks. Recorded live: 2nd June 2018