TRUE PLAIN HEARTS
for String Orchestra and Tenor
YEAR
2019
DURATION
24′

INSTRUMENTATION
String Orchestra and Tenor
MOVEMENTS
1. A Valediction: of Weeping
2. A Jet Ring Sent
3. The Computation
4. The Flea
5. Good Morrow
AUDIO SAMPLES
SELECTED PERFORMANCES
18 July 2026, The Palace Hotel, Buxton, Cheshire Chamber Collective with Tim Kennedy
28 September 2019, Cheadle Hulme — Amaretti Chamber Orchestra with Tim Kennedy
COMMISSION
NOTES
True Plain Hearts sets five poems by the metaphysical poet John Donne, exploring the theme of love and relationships, from the grief-laden melancholy of A Valediction: of Weeping, the brittle, broken romance of A Jet Ring Sent, the bewildering, interminable pain of separation in The Computation, the flippant coaxing of The Flea, and ending with the blissful contentment of Good Morrow.
QUOTES
'Adrienne's setting of John Donne's poetry for tenor and strings is a captivating and evocative work. The restrained but expressive tenor writing is accompanied by elegant string textures – including an unusual and poignant solo viola – which are full of subtle, unexpected harmonies and colour. There were moments when I found myself holding my breath as I was drawn into an intimate world where every phrase felt deeply moving and emotionally honest.' (Audience member).