The Sun was Chasing Venus is composed in a single movement and has a duration of roughly 15 minutes. Bray described the composition in the score program notes, writing:
Driven with frenetic energy, The Sun was Chasing Venus is through-composed, vividly moving between contrasting sections. Featuring the violas in an expressive dialogue is a slower, hazy episode which gives way to a violin solo with sparse, rhythmic accompaniment. Brisk music returns in a playful, excitable section, before a cadenza-like cello solo.
Additionally, Bray explained the title of the piece as "an abstract description of the work" that "represents the idea of a game of pursuit; musical lines chasing each other, out of which comes a sense of journey."[1]
Instrumentation
The work is scored for a string quintet comprising two violins, two violas, and cello.[1]
Reception
George Loomis of the Financial Times called the piece "a fine 15-minute work" and added, "there was much textural variety and ample evidence of the composer’s keen musical ear and stylistic rigour."[3]
