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Scores and parts are available upon request. 

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Symphony number 1. Symphony Orchestra

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I completed the symphony on the 04/11/2019. It paints an almost absurd bustling and rushing around. Constantly referencing our own thoughts to one's surroundings. This symphony attempts to give the listener an insight into the complexities, drive and energy of life. Often a carnival of responses, sometimes surprising ourselves by the unexpected follow on of emotions which can accompany them. Inevitably I have been influenced by 'epic scores' reference the end of the last movement, and of course, lashings of brass rise to the surface, which was always going to be the case because of my background. The third movement means something very special. Sometimes very bad things happen to very good people, and as a result they think of themselves as 'spoilt goods' or somehow blame themselves. This is a message of hope, of discovering the beauty within oneself after such an event. 

 

 

Symphony number 2. Symphony Orchestra

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  I was inspired to write this after listening to Shostakovich's 13th symphony and upon discovering the poem Babi Yar written within 'Testament' by Yevgeny Yevtushenko. It is a truly appalling episode in the history of humanity where in a period of 2 days during the second world war the Nazis managed to execute 33,771 Jews in one location. They led them to their deaths under false promises, and towards the end, subjected them to the most demeaning and horrific experience, of which most of us could only describe as our worst nightmare.  It should never happen again. The first movement lays open the wilderness and horrors of Babi Yar in Kiev. The second pictures a little girl, Anna Ginsberg, a 3 years old victim from Babi Yar, with references to German music, at one point a cantata. The third movement has a developed theme in the style of a Bach like chorale, ending with my arrangement of the Hatikva. Finished the 4th movement and symphony 30/05/20. Was due by the end of the year but I think due to the Corona pandemic and isolation it helped to focus the mind a little.

Dedicated to Philippe Sands QC University College London/Hague International Court of Justice.

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Symphony number 3. 'Testament'. 

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The first movement 'Perseverance' is a Tribute to the 2020 Mars Rover Mission. It's the first movement of the symphony named ‘Testament’. Unashamedly ‘Epic Hollywood style.’ Great fun to write. My inspiration for this is taken from the documentary ‘Testament’ where Sir David Attenborough gives evidence throughout his lifetime about man’s negative impact on our planet. Sir David makes reference to viewing the earth from space pointing out how small and fragile our planet looks from above. First movement completed March 2021, 2nd movement 24th of April. Phew! (Second movement entitled 'Termite hotel, sorry, can't speak, no time to talk'). Finally finished this symphony. Can't believe how long it's taken. Part of the problem being I'm using new technology which is hard for me to use (I am a Dinosaur).  The final movement is dedicated to the appalling situation in Ukraine (Mariupol). I'll say no more since words can't describe the horror.

 

The Cherry Orchard. Symphony Orchestra

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A symphonic poem dedicated to the play by Anton Chekhov. I’m afraid I have a bit of a soft spot for Russia/Ukraine and the surrounding area. There's something about the whole region that seems to exude passion and cultural provenance. A classical feast of music, ballet and playwrights. Despite some of the very terrible things which have visited them, I believe there has always been a general desire for the good of mankind in the hearts of it's people. A passion and pride like no other, born not from sentiment and frivolities, but from hard labour and true love of the working man and woman. Chekhov's poem takes you through the trials and tribulations of one family, and brutally lays bear the transition which is forced upon them .

Dedicated to Gary Hamburg, Professor of Russian studies Claremont McKenna college.

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The Cork Canticles. Organ and choir

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This is a set of two canticles, the Magnificat and Nunc Dimittis. Written very much with the memory of my visit to the West Coast of Ireland 2018 (although strictly speaking Cork is the South West coast). It's a large choral setting with demanding score for both choir and organ. You need to be a little bit of an 'olympic octopus' when tackling the pedal part for the organ. I'm hoping it illustrates the expanse and wildness of the area, leaving one not only with a strong whiff of Celtic splendour, but also a sense of awe, not forgetting of course to offer a respectful doffing of the cap to something far mightier than us all.

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Spirit Glitz. Ensemble.

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This is a little confusing. For years I thought ‘Baes des Anges’ in Nice France was named after Angels, which is why I included it within a religious set of music. It turns out that the ‘Anges’ is the name of an extinct ‘Angel shark’. So I’m afraid the Saints are stuck with the shark, at least for now. Saint Devote is a well known saint in these parts of the Alpes Maritimes.  In 303AD she became a martyr, her body placed in a small boat and pushed off into the sea. It is said she accidentally arrived on local shores led by a dove. Saint Torpes relates to another local martyr (they're everywhere around here) where once again the body took on a very similar journey (sounds a bit suspicious to me). Both very humble and religious characters in contrast to the very glitzy landscape of the South of France today. The benediction is of course one of the most holiest of christian services. There are many ordinary people living here amongst the glitz and glamour of the Cote d’Azur (I'm one of them). Some of them struggle day to day, don't be fooled by the glitz. This music is dedicated to them, especially the very brave and beautiful Niçoise.

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Incident domestique. Trio

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Having been in the unenviable position of witnessing a lot these wonderful interludes in life I thought perhaps I should attempt to describe them in my own language, music. The wayward parents are portrayed by the Clarinet and Violin. The annoyed and frustrated teenager by the piano. A sort of Peter and the Wolf on anti depressants. The experience of listening to a performance of the Soldiers Tale with Hans Werner Henze many years ago in Montepulciano left me with such an incredible impression. I've been dying to write for a type of 'off the cuff' set up for ages. Having deliberately scored the music argumentative, it opens with all 3 musicians entering the stage, but after seated, the pianist slams the piano lid down and walks off the stage, to return a few minutes later and strike the chords 'stop it, please stop it.' The 'conversation' between violin and clarinet continues in ever decreasing circles. Phrasing and markings include 'hell have no fury' and 'incessant petulante'. Completed late January 2020.

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Saint Edwards Weight. Symphony Orchestra.

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Always wanted to write a piece of music for a coronation. It was originally written as the first four minutes of my second symphony but that just isn't the place my symphonies are going, not at all, so here it is anyway on it's own. The name was taken from the description of the coronation crown given by Her majesty Queen Elizabeth the Second as regards both weight and responsibility. Completed December 2019. Only to be opened in an emergency!

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Promenade des Anglais. Symphony Orchestra

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A suite of 5 short pieces set in Nice in the South of France. The set starts off nervously with a little military excitement, leading onto what I describe as ‘the big cheese’. There is a certain ‘swagger’ about the place which sometimes goes a little over the top (very strong cheddar, or should I say Camembert). Number 3 attempts to immerse you into the Mercantour mountains, a place I have come to truly love. Number 4 is pure indulgence upon my behalf. It’s a lullaby to mark the birth of my granddaughter Ava. See if you can hear her name in the violins!  Number 5 references Arabia and Western Europe. Both have had an impact on the City. Watch out for the ending though, it might run away from you!

 

 

Port d’Azur. Symphony Orchestra.

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This and the Promenade des Anglais were a sort of experimentation. Kind of blowing away the cobwebs from my music conservatoire days. Port d'Azur. A simple commentary through the eyes of a child of a journey taken within different shades of life in the Alpes Maritimes, Nice in particular. Imposing boats appearing through the mist, someone looks on at a distance sipping a glass of rosé. A reflection of the mountains appear along with the chamoix, then back to city life. An austere Russian Kontakion punctuates before the child snaps back to the school playground. I deliberately composed the choir in two parts, the idea to have local school children singing. The melody mimics a playground song, within range and in a form I thought the children could learn and remember easily (I'm a bit OCD when it comes to inclusion and accessibility). It finishes with the major to minor theme reminding us that our future is far from certain and a serious question is left hanging. #GretaThunberg.

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First string quartet.

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The inspiration for this work comes from the poem by Maya Angelou about a caged bird. I've only just started it 15/06/2020.  Wonderful words. Picked not only to represent the confinement during the COVID-19 but also the confinement of others for 100's of years. The first movement which i've just published represents 'freedom' in the form of a student, unaware of the loneliness about to be bestowed upon him as he enjoys the morning sun. 

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“The caged bird sings

with fearful trill

of the things unknown

but longed for still

and his tune is heard

on the distant hill for the caged bird

sings of freedom”

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Piano Sonata Number 1

 

A work in 3 movements completed. 31/09/2020 Inspired by a tryptic painting by Banksy called "altered sea view". It depicts a shore full of lifejackets, once worn by immigrants attempting to cross the sea. Each jacket representing a single human being.