The Book Beneath My Bed
For Mixed Quintet
Caerwen Martin May 2019
Commissioned by Ben Opie and Melissa Doecke of
Inventi Ensemble
Premiere Performance by Inventi Ensemble
Capital Theatre in Bendigo Victoria July 2019
The Book Beneath My Bed is based on the categories of
books that overfill the odd assortment of dusty shelves
in my house; a haphazard library that has infiltrated
almost every room*. The categories that Inventi Ensemble
quite liked, and other topics of their own interest, were
drawn on as subjects of influence for the chapters and
characters that feature in the score. As requested, this
piece was written as a sister work to Nikolai Rimsky-
Korsakov’s Scheherazade (one of my most beloved works of
all time). Elements of Rimsky-Korsakov’s elaborate, and
emotionally overwhelming epic tale have been tucked into
my humble piece (with deep respect for Nikolai, of
course!)but the deeper focus is on the stories, fears,
and heartfelt wishes that circle our heads above us at
night and seep into our dreams.
Caerwen Martin
*Every room except the bathroom. There’s nothing in there unless
you count the hair dye instructions which can be elaborate and
cryptic, and have the potential to be catastrophically confusing.
You could, perhaps, put them on the Thriller shelf or next to the
Tim Burton drawings and poetry.
