Malcolm Dedman 1899 Reformation

Reformation was completed in February 2009 and was written for Dr Nancy Lee-Harper.The piece lasts just over 10 minutes. The title refers to the change processes that involve the world of humanity. Focussing on society’s need for change, or reformation, the title page carries a quote from ‘Abdu’l-Bahá stating what isalready in the process of change and what needs to be changed so as to make theworld a safer and better place in which to live.This piano solo is in two contrasting sections, played without a break.The first section expresses how people resist the changes to society, creating much turbulence.This turbulence and violence builds up to a frenzy, where the thematic material destroys itself.This is followed by a calm section,signifying the rolling up of all the out of date beliefs, to be replaced by anew order of laws, politics, inventions, beliefs, etc. that humanity learns to accept.The section is in the form of a set of variations, there being a ‘transitional’ theme and a main theme, both loosely based on material from the first section.The final extended variation is a vision of the ultimate reformation – that of a ‘Most Great Peace’ as foretold by Bahá’u’lláh.