Fight music is a scene from a chamber opera that I’m working on called Les Bâtisseurs D’Empire (The Empire Builders), adapted from the Boris Vian play of the same name. Theopera is a violent, surreal comment on war and colonisation. This music accompanies a fight scene where members of the family and their maid savagely beat a bandaged mysterious figure lurking in the corner while discussing what they’ll eat for dinner. It’s absurdist cartoon horror.

Fight music was commissioned by Endymion, in celebration of their 30th Anniversary in 2009. It was first performed in the concert hall at Kings Place, London, by Endymion, conducted by Quentin Poole, on 5th June 2009. The premiere performance was recorded by NMC Recordings and is available on disc.

Fight music is dedicated to the players of Endymion.