Orchestral Works
 Gloucester Cathedral cloisters
Symphony No.1
'The Gloucester Symphony' In four movements. Duration 52 minutes. Dedicated to Gloucester Cathedral Scored for: pic, 2 fl (2nd dbl alt fl), 2 ob, cor anglais, bass clarinet, 2 bsns, contra-bsn, 4 hns, 3 tpts, 2 ten trb, bass trb, tba, timps, percussion - 3 players, bass drum, snare drum, sus. cymbal, tgl, tam-tam, celeste, piano, harp, organ, hand bells (3 players), Full Strings. Symphony No.1 was composed in Cheltenham, Gloucestershire in response to the news that vandals had broken the medieval stained glass windows of Gloucester Cathedral. I wanted to turn a 'destructive act into a creative one!'. It begins with a simple motif on solo clarinet that represents both early Gloucester man and the first stone that breaks the cathedral's window. The development of the symphony is a journey through the modern city or through the land now occupied by the city. But it is also a journey through time, from Glevum (the Roman garrison) to today’s Gloucester City with its frenetic traffic and busy streets. The assault on the Cathedral (the focus and spiritual heart of the city) was the main inspiration for the work. The ‘Cathedral theme’ appears several times as big, uplifting parallel chords whilst the River Severn flows steadily onward flooding its banks at times. The handbells ring out at the very end of the piece with a 6th Century chant known as Christe Redemptor Omnium, which used to be heard every day in times gone by played by a mechanical device on the cathedral bells. 
The composer received a standing ovation at the premiere in Gloucester Cathedral in 2008.
With conductor of the Gloucestershire Symphony Orchestra Mark Finch - "Christe, Redemptor ominum, ex Patre Patris uni ce solus ante principum...."
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Third movement complete
Extract from finale
Children's Games
by Adam White
This large watercolour painting (240 x 165 cms) was created in response to the Gloucester Symphony by artist Adam White.
He was awarded First prize in the Excellence in Watercolour Award of the Royal West of England, Autumn Open Exhibition in 2008.. |
 Gustav Holst
Symphony No.2
'The Cheltenham Symphony' In three movements. Duration 42 mins - dedicated to Nigel Jones. (The final movement is 'in memoriam Gustav Holst') Scored for: 2 fl, 2 ob, 2 cl, 2 bsns, 4 hns, 2 tpts, 2 ten trb, bass trb, tba, timps, percussion - 4 players, bass drum, snare drum, sus. cymbal, clshd cym, Whip, woodblocks, tgl, tam-tam, tamb,, piano, whistle, Full Strings. I began the second Symphony whilst attending the University of East Anglia in Norwich, where I was studying music education. It was finally completed at home in Cheltenham.
'The Cheltenham Symphony' speaks of Cheltenham during the Second World War when it was bombed by the German airforce. The black and white newspaper picture that partly inspired the work shows a lady whose home had just been destroyed by a random bomb. Even though the theme of the symphony is 'triumph over adversity' there are lighter moments such as a comical braying donkey and a runaway (Toddington) train. 
picture courtesy of the Gloucestershire Echo
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Note from the House of Commons
CHELTENHAM SYMPHONY AND SUPPORT FOR MUSICAL TALENT 18.03.2004 Jones, Nigel That this House congratulates the composer Colin Decio and the Cheltenham Symphony Orchestra on the world premiere of The Cheltenham Symphony; notes that the symphony tells of the architecture and history of Cheltenham and of the surrounding rolling hills; further notes that the strings open out at times as if soaring over the edge of a ledge like a bird of prey looking down on a Cotswold landscape; commends the composer on including a harmonic reference to the Cheltenham composer Gustav Holst, and for remembering a tragic bombing raid on Cheltenham in World War II, as well as providing lighter musical representations of a braying donkey, a runaway train and his family's Ukrainian background; appreciates that the aim of the symphony is one of hope and triumph over adversity; wishes Colin Decio success with this work and anticipates with relish the world premiere of his Gloucester Symphony, which has yet to be performed; and urges the Government to ensure that musical talent is adequately supported in Britain as it is in other advanced countries. |
Piano Concerto No. 1
- 'in memoriam John Ogdon' World premiere 31st January 2015 In six interconnected movement. Duration approx. 32 minutes Scored for: piano solo, 2 fl, 2 ob, 2 cl, 2 bsns, C. Bsn, 4 hns, 2 tpts, timps, percussion - 3 players, bass drum, snare drum, sus. cymbal, clshd cym, tgl, tam-tam, tamb,, celeste, whistle, xylo - Full Strings n 1986 John Ogdon arrived at the Birmingham School of Music to give a lunchtime concert in the nearby Birmingham Midland Institute. To my surprise I was told that he would include my newly written Piano Sonata No.1 in the concert. I was absolutely delighted and spent a wonderful few hours with John looking at the piece in private. As it happens due to his huge programme that day he only had time to perform the Waltz movement (the finale), which nevertheless was totally stunning to hear, with some of the most wonderful playing and a most sublime pianissimo that lives with me to this day. Some many years later I felt that I wanted to develop the work into a new Concerto dedicated to the musical genius John Ogdon. |
world-premiere with pianist Mark Tanner
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Piano Concerto No. 2
- 'In the Flowers of the Sun' In three movements. Duration approx. 30 minutes. Completed in July 2014. Scored for: piano solo, 2 fl, 2 ob, 2 cl, B.Cl, 2 bsns, 4 hns, Full Strings. “Bodies fell from the sky into sunflower fields in full bloom, it was summer” 'This image burned into my mind. The fields were in my father’s home country of the Ukraine. It was here that commercial flight MH17 was brought down by a ground to air missile killing totally innocent men, women and children. This was the seed for my Piano Concerto No. 2 ‘In the flowers of the sun’. But I wanted to create a work of beauty and not of horror. And in that I think I succeeded'. C. Decio |
Piano Concerto No2
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Maidan Pro Defunctis
Requiem for full orchestra, in one movement. Duration approx 18 minutes.
'Dedicated to the memory of all those who lost their lives in Maidan Square, Kiev, Ukraine, in 2013'
Scored for: piano solo, 2 fl (pic), 2 ob, 2 cl, 2 bsns, 4 hns, 2 tpts, 2 trbs, b. trb, tba, harp, timps, percussion - 1 player, bass drum, sus. cymbal, tub bells, xylo - Full Strings.
Requiem for full orchestra, in one movement. Duration approx 18 minutes.
'Dedicated to the memory of all those who lost their lives in Maidan Square, Kiev, Ukraine, in 2013'
Scored for: piano solo, 2 fl (pic), 2 ob, 2 cl, 2 bsns, 4 hns, 2 tpts, 2 trbs, b. trb, tba, harp, timps, percussion - 1 player, bass drum, sus. cymbal, tub bells, xylo - Full Strings.
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Tirthankara
For cello solo and orchestra - In three interconnected movements. Duration approx. 20 minutes. Scored for: 2 fl, 2 ob, 2 cl, B. cl, 2 bsns, 4 hns, 2 tpts, timps, percussion - 2 players, bass drum, snare drum, tub. bell, tamb, glock, sus cym - Full Strings |
*Tirthankara (Sanskrit) - 'one who makes a place for your boat, from where it can take you toward the other shore'.
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The Steps of Evermore
'In memory of John Yarnley'
"Autumn has descended on the throne before the Queen"
text by Colin Decio
Choral work for SATB chorus and full orchestra. In one movement. Duration 20 minutes.
Scored for - 2 fl (pic), 2 ob, 2 cl Bb, 2 Bsn, 2 tpt, 2 hns, 2 ten trb, timps, percussion (BD, tmb, guirro, marimba, flexatone, sus-cym, tgl, tam-tam, piano, full strings. SATB Chorus (100+
'In memory of John Yarnley'
"Autumn has descended on the throne before the Queen"
text by Colin Decio
Choral work for SATB chorus and full orchestra. In one movement. Duration 20 minutes.
Scored for - 2 fl (pic), 2 ob, 2 cl Bb, 2 Bsn, 2 tpt, 2 hns, 2 ten trb, timps, percussion (BD, tmb, guirro, marimba, flexatone, sus-cym, tgl, tam-tam, piano, full strings. SATB Chorus (100+
The Cosmic Mandala
For full orchestra in six movements. Duration 40 min. World premiere 1987
Each movement describes a different colour of the Cosmic Mandala, which is an after-death vision as described by the Spiritual Master Adi Da.
The work ends with a vision of the central Divine White Star. The third movement, Microcosmos, is a palindrome.
For full orchestra in six movements. Duration 40 min. World premiere 1987
- Dominus,
- Regina,
- Microcosmos,
- Fate,
- Sun,
- Milky Way
Each movement describes a different colour of the Cosmic Mandala, which is an after-death vision as described by the Spiritual Master Adi Da.
The work ends with a vision of the central Divine White Star. The third movement, Microcosmos, is a palindrome.
The Opening of a Rose - 'in memory of 9/11'
In one movement.
Duration 6 mins.
For string orchestra
Duration 6 mins.
For string orchestra
Golden Jubilation Overture
Orchestral Overture composed for the Queen's Golden Jubilee of 2002
Scored for - 2 fl, 2 ob, 2 cl Bb, 2 Bsn, 2 tpt, 4 hns, 2 ten trb, b. trb, tba, timps, 2 percussion (sd, bd, tgl, tmb, clshd cym), V1, V2, Va, Vc, Bass
duration 4 mins
Orchestral Overture composed for the Queen's Golden Jubilee of 2002
Scored for - 2 fl, 2 ob, 2 cl Bb, 2 Bsn, 2 tpt, 4 hns, 2 ten trb, b. trb, tba, timps, 2 percussion (sd, bd, tgl, tmb, clshd cym), V1, V2, Va, Vc, Bass
duration 4 mins
Parihaka for orchestra
Parihaka - new work 2021
for full orchestra
duration 10mins
scored for - pic, 2 fl, 2 ob, 2 cl in A, 2 bsns, c.bsn, 4 hns, 2 tpts in C, 2 ten trbs, bass trb, tba, timps, harp - 8 percussion, violin 1, violin 2, viola, cello, bass
The story of what happened at Parihaka on Nov 5th 1881 is hard to digest. The barbarous invading army under orders and the heinous acts that they perpetuated against ‘peaceful’ resistance are almost unbelievable.
This was to end the Maori wars, a defining moment in the history of Aotearoa. From the first moment I heard about Parihaka I knew I wanted to compose a piece of music in response. This ten minute work for orchestra describes the events of that day in 1881, with the dominant bass drum that the villagers heard approaching. This was a clash of cultures. But I also questioned the type of men who would do such a thing. They were sailors who spent a long time on ship. So the discovery of a sea-shanty named ‘Roll the Chariot’ fitted them well. The shanty itself is thought to be developed from a negro-spiritual sung during repetitive arduous work. It may even have Scottish roots, with it’s ‘Scotch-snatch’. Either way this uplifting song counterbalances the simplistic ‘tribal’ percussion and bleakness of the time. The trumpet theme at the beginning of the work and at the end, now with mute, offers the ‘unanswered question’ reminiscent of Charles Ives’ famous work. I am very proud of Parihaka.
for full orchestra
duration 10mins
scored for - pic, 2 fl, 2 ob, 2 cl in A, 2 bsns, c.bsn, 4 hns, 2 tpts in C, 2 ten trbs, bass trb, tba, timps, harp - 8 percussion, violin 1, violin 2, viola, cello, bass
The story of what happened at Parihaka on Nov 5th 1881 is hard to digest. The barbarous invading army under orders and the heinous acts that they perpetuated against ‘peaceful’ resistance are almost unbelievable.
This was to end the Maori wars, a defining moment in the history of Aotearoa. From the first moment I heard about Parihaka I knew I wanted to compose a piece of music in response. This ten minute work for orchestra describes the events of that day in 1881, with the dominant bass drum that the villagers heard approaching. This was a clash of cultures. But I also questioned the type of men who would do such a thing. They were sailors who spent a long time on ship. So the discovery of a sea-shanty named ‘Roll the Chariot’ fitted them well. The shanty itself is thought to be developed from a negro-spiritual sung during repetitive arduous work. It may even have Scottish roots, with it’s ‘Scotch-snatch’. Either way this uplifting song counterbalances the simplistic ‘tribal’ percussion and bleakness of the time. The trumpet theme at the beginning of the work and at the end, now with mute, offers the ‘unanswered question’ reminiscent of Charles Ives’ famous work. I am very proud of Parihaka.
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A Day Trip to White Island/Whakaare - new work 2021
for full orchestra duration 8:17 mins "Half a league, half a league, Half a league onward" scored for- pic, fl, alto fl, 2 ob, 2 cl in Bb, bass cl, 2 bsns, c.bsn, 4 hns, 2 tpts in C, 2 ten trbs, bass trb, tba, timps, harp - 5 percussion, violin 1, violin 2, viola, cello, bass The brooding volcano is described with an uneasy ostinato on wind and strings whilst the brass menace with surging chords. Suddenly the piano erupts and drives the orchestra towards a climax. Moments of pause occur but the relentless, unsleeping volcano always continues to threaten. The juxtaposition of mechanical musical ostinati against natural forces serves as a striking contrast between man and nature. Gradually the orchestra begins a requiem for all those who lost their lives on White Island, an apotheosis. |
A Day Trip to White Island/Whakaare
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Chamber Works