Music Web International, Paul RW Jackson

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Gregson’s Concerto for Viola and String Orchestra, ‘Three Goddesses’, is in three movements played without a break. It depicts three different goddesses: the Morrigan, a goddess in Irish myth associated war and fate, alongside other darker traits, Aphrodite the Greek goddess of love and beauty, and Diana the Roman goddess of the hunt and moon. These different starting points are very carefully united by musical material stated at the beginning and then ingeniously transformed throughout.

If one considers the generally dark aspect of the Morrigan in myth, the depiction here is of a more benevolent goddess, perhaps more mother than warrior. A magical opening with the motto theme and some, once again, beautifully spaced chords, leads us on a turbulent though not scary journey.

“There is not an extraneous note, and Rachel Roberts negotiates the often-chordal writing for her instrument fearlessly.”

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In the finale, Diana the goddess of the hunt and the moon, is depicted in a more straight-forward setting. A fast dancelike theme, undoubtedly hunt like, is contrasted with a lyrical theme – maybe that of the moon. A beautifully cinematic movement, it builds to a tremendous climax and an outrageous high G from the soloist.

“I must be honest and say that the viola and tenor saxophone are my least favourite instruments. However, having listened to this work a number of times and the truly superb playing of Rachel Roberts I think my prejudice towards the viola has waned.”

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