Monsters Premiere 25th April

Monsters is a work by Stephen McNeff inspired by the Gardens at Bomarzo in Italy. It was commissioned by RAF Music Services in collaboration with the US Air Force Band, Washington DC, the US Air Forces Band in Europe, and Luftwaffenmusikkorps Münster. The premiere performance was given in Regent Hall Salvation Army, London on 25th April 2025 by the Central Band of the Royal Air Force alongside guest musicians from the United States Air Forces Band in Europe and Luftwaffenmusikkorps Münster, conducted by Squadron Leader I'Anson.

A video of the premiere of the full work is available on YouTube https://youtu.be/GdpzwUssYCM?si=UD3vBNn_Z0cmdc_v

Stephen McNeff and Chris I’Anson after the premiere of Monsters in London (Image:RAF)

Subsequent performances were given at Sherborne Summer Music School and at the Royal Northern college of Music conducted by Mark Heron.

The work is published by Maecenas Music (maecenasmusic.co.uk). A special thanks goes to Malcom Binney for his administration, editing, and publication of the work.

Monsters was written in response to the success of Ghosts - now a repertoire favourite - and like that work is on multi-moment form. The composer is happy for individual movements to be performed, though of course the journey is not complete unless the whole work is heard! Here is a programme note and a list of movements with descriptions.

Stephen McNeff - Monsters of the Sacred Grove

The Garden of Bomarzo near Rome were created by Duke Pier Francesco Orsini, patron of the arts who commissioned the bizarre sculptures starting in 1547.  Hidden in a wooded valley, the figures became forgotten and neglected for centuries until brought to wider attention again by surrealist Salvador Dali in 1938.  These nine movements depict both the romance and strangeness of the garden and sculptures hewn out the volcanic rock, and offer a musical glimpse into a fantastic world hidden for so long.

Movements

1. Into the Sacred Grove

We descend though the wooded forest into the Sacred Grove                                

2. The Three Graces

In a quiet corner of the Garden, the Three Graces – the daughters of Zeus - embrace as if sharing secrets…

3. Pegasus the Winged Horse

The fantastic Pegasus appears ready to fly into the blinding sunlit sky                              

4. The Orcus

The terrifying Orcus with its massive stone teeth sits ready to devour anyone who dares to enter its gaping mouth.                                         

5. The Wrestling Giants

Fearsome in strength and size, Hercules and Cacus appear in mortal combat

6. The Sleeping Nymph         

A moment of repose as the reclined Nymph rests in the warm sun                        

7. The Lions Battle the Dragon

Pictured here as two opposing forces, our two sides confront each other

8. The Leaning House

Defying anyone who enters to keep their balance – or their wits - about them, the leaning house plays strange tricks of perspective.

9. The Temple of Eternity

Finally emerging from the forest into the sunlight, the classical proportions of the Temple attest to the memory of Giulia Farnese, wife of the Duke, and a fitting end to our journey though the Grove back into the light.              

The composer would like to thank squadron Leader Christopher I’Anson for his untiring support and enthusiasm in the creation of this work, and also my publisher, Malcolm Binney at Maecenas Music, for his perseverance and production expertise in bringing the work to fruition.