Thermogenesis is the central section of the ensemble triptych, Terra incognita, but may also be played as an independent work. The central preoccupation of Terra incognita is coldness: mythical, metaphorical and physical. Thermogenesis was conceived as a demonstration of how a pianist might attempt to get warm in a very cold climate.

The pianist begins the piece wearing a pair of thick woollen finger gloves inside a pair of thick, fingerless over-gloves. At the end of bar 49 the mittens are removed and at the end of bar 99 the gloves are removed. Every effort should be made to play the right notes, although the gloves will inevitably make this prevent this being achieved. The pedal should be used, sparingly, to cover leaps across the keyboard. Rests should be silences, strictly observed.

Thermogenesis was written in early 2005 and is dedicated to my late wife, Susan McNally, who kept me warm. It was premiered by John Snijders in St Paul?s Hall, Huddersfield on 23rd November 2005 as part of the Huddersfield Contemporary Music Festival.