Vento Flute Sonata (March 2007)
In writing this flute sonata I had two main aims. The first was to write a flute work that was
essentially masculine. So much of the flute repertoire treats the flute as a feminine and delicate
instrument and I wanted to redress the balance. The flute can sound robust, powerful, stern and
strong. In writing this sonata I tried to create a work that particularly male flautists would find
gave them a voice for their energy– a flute sonata that was beautiful but also aggressive and
macho, demonstrating both the flute and the flautist’s versatility.
My second aim was to write a work that really allowed players to express themselves
through variety of dynamic contrast and tone colour. So much of the professional repertoire
merely requires expertise in technique. The Vento Flute Sonata is more about emotional
expressivity and I would strongly encourage players to genuinely feel this music first rather
than concentrate solely on mastering it technically.
Vento is the Italian word for “wind” and the three movements (Controvento, Respirare and
Temporale) are all musical reflections on air, the wind and breathing. The sonata was named in
Italian to perhaps engender a hint of the passion and fire that is so often found in Italian culture.
Movement 1: Contravento (Against the Wind)
Movement 2: Respirare (Breathe)
Movement 3: Temporale (Thunderstorm)
You can read more detailed programme notes here.
You can buy the sheet music at Sibeliusmusic.com:
http://www.sibeliusmusic.com/cgi-bin/show_score.pl?scoreid=103791
Stop All The Clocks (November 2007)
This work is a string orchestra meditation on WH Auden's famous poem. This work was composed to enter the Fauxharmonic Orchestra's Adagio competition. The purpose of the competition was to write a piece which might be hailed as the new Barber's Adagio. While I wouldn't pretend that this is anywhere near as good as Barber's iconic work, I hope you enjoy it. It received an honourable mention in the competition.
Buy the sheet music at Sibeliusmusic.com:
http://www.sibeliusmusic.com/cgi-bin/show_score.pl?scoreid=104903
Before Dawn
This solo piano work is a stream of consciousness composition based on a poem by Margaret Pritchard. A collection of poems was developed into the verse play Alexander which was premiered by Bartholomew Road Productions at the 2008 Edinburgh Fringe Festival. It explores the personal and political life of Alexander The Great. This piece was used in the show which received a 4 star review from theatre website Broadway Baby.
Buy the sheet music at Sibeliusmusic.com:
http://www.sibeliusmusic.com/cgi-bin/show_score.pl?scoreid=95708
Dracula
While many composers and writers have attempted to adapt the novel or have been inspired by its legacy, none have come close to providing an accurate and faithful musical translation of Bram Stoker's Dracula. No production has endured a great amount of success and it is clear that none of these incarnations match the success of the original novel.It becomes increasingly clear that these other Dracula incarnations focus too much on the villain and trying to give him a voice, rather than concentrating on the very strong story line of human endurance and love. This is the focus of our Dracula musical and that is its strength.
Find out more about the show at the dedicated site: www.draculamusical.co.uk or download the sheet music to highlights at Sibeliusmusic.com