Orchestral Works
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Maidan Pro Defunctis
Requiem for full orchestra in one movement Duration 18 minutes Scored for: 2 fl (pic), 2 ob, 2 cl, 2 bsns, 4 hns, 2 tpts, 2 trbs, b. trb, tba, harp, timps, 1 percussion: (bass drum, sus. cymbal, tub bells, xylo, tamb) - Full Strings. |
Dedicated to the memory of all those who lost their lives in Maidan Square, Kiev, Ukraine, in 2013'' |
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The Cosmic Mandala
For full orchestra in six movements Duration 40 min. World premiere - Birmingham 1987
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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. - 'in memory of Toru Takemitsu' |
The Opening of a Rose - 'in memory of 9/11'
For string orchestra - In one movement
Duration 7:00 mins
(also arranged for string quartet)
Duration 7:00 mins
(also arranged for string quartet)
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The Opening of a Rose
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Jubilation Overture
Orchestral overture originally 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), strings. duration 4 mins |
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Parihaka for orchestra
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 - 3 percussion: (BD, sus cym, clsh cym, tam, guirro, glock - high tom, low tom, xylo - egg shaker, maracass, snare drum) 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 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 - 3 percussion: (BD, sus cym, clsh cym, tam, guirro, glock - high tom, low tom, xylo - egg shaker, maracass, snare drum) 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 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.
Humankind cannot survive a "tribal" world"
World-Friend Adi Da
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A Day Trip to White Island/Whakaare
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: (SD, BD, clash cym, tam, tub bells, xylo, piano), 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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Spirits of Our Age V
'Nihilism, Narcissism & Atavism' for full orchestra duration 6:00 mins scored for- pic, fl, 2 ob, 2 cl in Bb, 2 bsns, 4 hns, 2 tpts in C, 2 ten trbs, bass trb, tba, timps, 3 percussion: (BD, clash cym, tam), violin 1, violin 2, viola, cello, bass |
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Before. The World Went Wrong
for full orchestra duration 7:38 scored for: pic, 2 fl, 2 ob, 2 cl in Bb, 2 bsns, c.bsn, 4 hns, 2 tpts in C, 2 ten trbs, bass trb, tba, timps, harp, 2 percussion: (BD, tam), violin 1, violin 2, viola, cello, bass YouTube Video made using A.I. images (public domain) |
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The Christmas Truce of 1914 new work 2025
for full orchestra duration 6:00 suitable for Schools students age 11+ scored for: 2 fl, 2 ob, 2 cl in Bb, 2 bsns, c.bsn, 4 hns, 2 tpts in C, 2 ten trbs, bass trb, tba, harp, 2 percussion: (BD, tam, tamb, clsh cym, tgl), violin 1, violin 2, viola, cello, bass It was late on Christmas Eve 1914, when men of the British Expeditionary Force heard German troops in the trenches opposite them singing carols. The following day, British and German soldiers met in no man's land and exchanged gifts, took photographs and some played impromptu games of football. Shchedryk - 'Bounteous Evening'
for full orchestra duration 3:47 scored for: 2 fl, 2 ob, 2 cl in Bb, 2 bsns, 4 hns, 2 tpts in C, 2 ten trbs, bass trb, tba, timps, harp, (2 percussion: BD, clsh cym, tamb, tgl), violin 1, violin 2, viola, cello, bass |
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Chamber Works