MUSICALS

NOSFERATU

CASABLANCA

This is a wonderfully nostalgic and imaginative musical based on the iconic film, “Casablanca”, made in 1942 and starring Humphrey Bogart and Ingrid Berman. With lyrics by Pamela Traynor and music by Christopher Bowen, the musical captures perfectly the essence of this timeless classic, which is so relevant to our contemporary world at the moment.

INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC

“INCANTATIONS” String Orchestral version

“Incantations” was originally composed for string quartet in 1991 and revised and reworked for string orchestra presenting the material in a more expansive and expressive manner. This version received its premiere performance in 2007.

As a perfroming artist, I have had the opportunity to acqaint myself over many years with a very broad and diverse repertoire and have always admired composers who have had the ability to develop quite comples music from a single plastic thematic cell. Beethoven and Haydn immediately spring to mind. The opening motifs and their subsequent development in Beethoven’s nine symphonies are a perfect example of this; a result of an intimate knowledge of Haydn’s compositional techniques absorbed through study.

The openingmotif and its extension over the first 12 bars provides the thematic and rhythmic material for much of the work. The work itself is not programmatic and derives much of its expression from the contrasts between the aggressive and lyrical sections

The work is dedicated to the memory of Richard Rodney Sigston with whom I studied piano at Melbourne University and remains the most important influence on my musical development. An extraordinary musician indeed.

FIREMUSIC Viola and piano

“Firemusic” commissioned by Australian violist Michelle Pritchard was premiered 23rd April, 8pm at the Doopsgezinde Kerk, Middelburg. and performed again on May 30th at 7.15pm in the Conservatoriumzaal, Amare, Den Hague.

This work, a rhapsodic lamentation for viola (Michelle Pritchard) and piano (Gerard Boeters), is inspired by the tragic and catastrophic fires which ravaged New South Wales in 2020, resulting in the appalling destruction of animal life and the environment.

The following text was included in the program notes for the premiere of the work

“With a view to working with him on a composition for my Master studies, I contacted him at the start of 2021 and proposed we work together on the creation of a new work for viola and piano. Through this “Firemusic” was created.

Here I include a quote from our email correspondence.

“Regarding “Firemusic“ , I think I have just had an inspired idea.. Considering what is happening all over the world with the climate and especially reflecting on the immense tragedy of the 2019-2020 NSW bushfires I thought that after all the violent energy in “Firemusic”, I could finish with a meditation on the destruction of both human and native animal life. I think it would be a great contrast and juxtaposition of ideas."

We shared media pictures of the horrific devastation of the bushfires and had several discussions and “Zoom” workshops whilst the work was being created. I contributedto the creative elements of this work by suggesting certain effects- for example for animal screaming- glissando, portamento and articulation. The draft scores were updated in between each workshop. I would annotate them with the elements we had discussed referencing recordings of our workshops- either audio or visual with my phone or via Zoom recording. These scores were returned to Bowen via email.

“Firemusic” is a lament for nature. It is a one movement work made up of three main sections. Opening with solo viola, the sorrowful lament continues until the piano interjects with “fire” fragments. The middle section represents the fire, as well as the virtuosic writing, the fiery fragments are developed and you can hear sound effects of birds and animals, exhausted, dying, screeching and in pain. This section closes with a duo-cadenza (in both viola and piano). The final section, a meditation including aspects of the opening lament in altered form, accompanied by the piano.

https://youtu.be/vzfXMIcXMQY?is=05-Hok4c6gPxDP8Y

PIANO MUSIC

3 RHYTHMIC ETUDES

The “3 Rhythmic Etudes” demand a highly developed technique and stamina. The music is very physical and energetic. The following audio files are converted midi performances and despite not being organic, do provide the listener with the potential and the soundworld of the music.

PRELUDES

CHRISTMAS MUSIC

“This Endris Night” was composed in 1994 and first performed in December of that year by the Sydney University Graduate choir in the Great Hall of Sydney University. This recording was made in 1997 and performed by the Australian National Orchestra and Choir.

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MUSICALS

NOSFERATU

CASABLANCA

INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC

“INCANTATIONS” String Orchestral version

FIREMUSIC Viola and piano

PIANO MUSIC

3 RHYTHMIC ETUDES

PRELUDES

CHRISTMAS MUSIC

EXCERPTS from CONCERTS

VARIOUS MOTETS - Camille Saint-Saëns

“CHRISTMAS ORATORIO” Opus 12 - Camille Saint-Saëns

“STABAT MATER” - Rossini

ARIAS and LIEDER

ORCHESTRAL