Symphonies
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, 3 percussion: (bass drum, snare drum, sus. cymbal, tgl, tam-tam, celeste, piano), harp, organ, hand bells (3 players), Full Strings
In four movements. Duration 52 minutes.  Cathedral cloisters
Symphony No.1 was composed in Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, UK, 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!" The symphony begins with a simple motif on solo clarinet that represents the first stone that breaks the window. The development of the symphony is a journey through the modern city of Gloucester, 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 with its frenetic traffic and busy streets. The assault on the Cathedral (the main 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. Hand bells ring out at the very end of the work with a 6th Century chant known as Christe Redemptor Omnium, which was heard every day in times past played on the actual cathedral bells by use of a mechanical device . |
cover artwork - 'Children's Games' by Adam White
Third movement of Symphony No.1
world-premiere 2008 in Gloucester Cathedral |
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"Christe, Redemptor ominum, ex Patre Patris uni ce solus ante principum...." |
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Christe Redemptor Omnium is a 6th century chant, which appears in the Coda of the Symphony (video excerpt from the finale) |
Colin Decio shaking hands with orchestra conductor Mark Finch after the premiere by the Gloucestershire Symphony Orchestra in Gloucester Cathedral 2008
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Symphony No.2
'The Cheltenham Symphony' (dedicated to Lord Nigel Jones) |
In three movements duration 42 mins.
Scored for: 2 fl, 2 ob, cl, 2 bsn, 2 tpt, 4 hns, 2 ten trb, b. trb, tba, timps, 4 percussion: (snared rum, bass drum, tam, whip, piano, tgl, sus cym, clashed cym), strings
Scored for: 2 fl, 2 ob, cl, 2 bsn, 2 tpt, 4 hns, 2 ten trb, b. trb, tba, timps, 4 percussion: (snared rum, bass drum, tam, whip, piano, tgl, sus cym, clashed cym), strings
Newspaper photograph courtesy of the Gloucestershire Echo
I began my second Symphony whilst attending the University of East Anglia in Norwich, where I was studying for a PGCE in secondary music education. It was finally completed at home in Cheltenham. The Cheltenham Symphony (Symphony No.2) speaks of Cheltenham during the Second World War when it was bombed by the German air force. The black and white newspaper photograph that partly inspired the work (shown above) shows a lady whose home had just been destroyed by a random bomb. The theme of the symphony is 'triumph over adversity'. There are lighter moments, such as a sturdy braying donkey and a runaway (Toddington) train. The finale includes a brief quote from Holst who was born in Cheltenham and whose statue now stands near the Town Hall.
The final movement is dedicated -
'in memoriam Gustav Holst' |
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. |
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Symphony No.3 - new work 2022
(dedicated to the Ukrainian people) This major work was composed in response to the Russian invasion of the Ukraine, my father's home country.
Sculpture by Szukalski
If you want a picture of the future, imagine a boot stomping on a human face - forever" - George Orwell |
2nd mvt - March of the Sunflowers
In four movements duration 28 mins.
I - Lento II - March of the Sunflowers III - Lento IV - Lento Scored for: 2 fl, 2 ob, 2 cl, 2 bsn (doubling c, bsn),2 tpt in C, 4 hns, 2 ten trb, b. trb, tba, timps, 3 percussion: (BD, snare drum, clashed cymbals, suspended cymbal, tam-tam, tambourine, tubular bells), harp, full strings |
Concertos