Compositions

A Most Wanted Man – a chamber opera realised in partnership with Middle Tennessee State University, Heritage Opera, BBC R&D with significant Arts Council England funding.  To be premiered in Liverpool August 2022.

Veiled Bamboo…Silent Water – Boundless – for ‘Rarescale’ quatertone alto flute and contrabass clarinet and live electronics to be released on CD in autumn 2022.

Dream Makers – a work realised in collaboration between IMMIX Ensemble and young adults with Special Educational Needs from Chatsworth Community College, Salford.  A large mixed-media work to mark the 50th anniversary of the Apollo 11 moon-landing.  It received its first performance at Liverpool Hope University in March 2019.  It is set to have further performances in 2020 (DaDaFest and Liverpool Sound City).

Territorial Driftings from the Brow – a soundscape work realised for an Armistice100 event that I curated in collaboration with colleagues at the Museum of Liverpool November 2018.

Lancelot’s Love Eternal – a live electronic soundscape work derived from location sounds collected at Martin Mere.  Composed specifically for the Martini Elettrico festival, held at the Conservatorio di Bologna in April 2018.

Wreathed in clover – commissioned by the Percussion Ensemble of Wanda Bass School of Music at Oklahoma City University which commemorates the experiences of the ‘Harlem Hellfighters’ a highly-decorated African-American infantry unit that spent more time in combat than any other US unit.  It’s marching band, led by James Reece Europe, introduced the continent of Europe to jazz.

Getting in your own way – a soundscape work in collaboration with the dance and spoken word artists Julia Griffin and Scott Thurston, received its premiere 23rd February.

Lark Hill Place 1918 commemoration – for February 2018 – Salford Museum and Art Gallery commissioned a commemorative sound installation and soundscape work to mark the centenary of the end of the First World War

Beyond Twilight – a work for Ensemble 10/10 and live electronics performed in Liverpool’s St. George’s Hall November 2018 and at the Edison Denisov Conservatory of Music, Tomsk Russia

Rains of Steel – a soundscape work, composed in commemoration of the centenary of the Battle of Passchendaele – in memoriam to all those that endured the inhumanity of the mechanised slaughter that took place in those fields in Flanders, irrespective of nationality. It was first performed on November 10th 2017 at Edge Hill University.

Unlucky for Some – two settings of poems by Roger McGough from the cycle ‘Unlucky for Some’ commissioned by the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra to coincide with their 50th anniversary celebrations of the publication of ‘The Mersey Sound’ and McGough’s ‘Summer with Monika.’ ‘Unlucky for Some’ was performed by the RLPO’s new music group Ensemble 10/10 featuring the soprano Aniko Toth, conducted by Pete Davison – Saturday 17th June 2017 Rose Theatre, Edge Hill University; 27th, 28th June and 16th July 2017 at the Music Room, Liverpool Philharmonic.

Stuck – a collaborative soundscape work with the dance artist Julia Griffin.  The work is centred upon memory and identity and living with Dementia – what more fundamental ‘sound mark’ for any of us is there other than that emanating from our body and its breathing.  It was first performed at Edge Hill University in June 2017.  There are a number of national performances planned for 2018.

Beyond the North Tower – Interactive Multichannel Sound Installation for The FED Dementia Home in Salford.  Funded by The FED and Arts Council England.  Has been shortlisted for a national Dementia Care prize.  

In Search of the Phoenix March 2017 A musical theatre work commissioned by the BBC Philharmonic Orchestra for young adults with Special Educational Needs, realised in collaboration with Chatsworth Community College, Salford.  It received its first performance at Edge Hill University in February 2017.  It is set to have several further performances in 2018 (Lowry Theatre and Liverpool Sound City).

Tales from the dark interior new version June 2017 are live-electronic soundscape composition settings of texts by the acclaimed Scottish writer James Kelman, building the sonic tapestries around the sensitively, dramatic voice of the Glasgow-based actor Gordon Munro.  These will be released on vinyl by Vinylselection in 2018.

God’s Own Caught in No Man’s Land – a large-scale contemporary oratorio commissioned by the BBC Philharmonic Orchestra to commemorate the centenary of the Battle of the Somme.  It places special focus upon the tragic experiences of the Salford Pals.  Performed on July 1st 2016 and broadcast on BBC Radio 3 on Remembrance Sunday 2016.

Dérive – a piece for two pianos after the piece by Boulez (Dérive iib) 2015.

Driven Voids – a work for voice, harp, violin and live electronics setting texts by Charles Rennie Mackintosh, Steven Holl and Professor Johnny Rodger on the importance of time and place in architecture.  It was specially commissioned by Prof. Rodger of Glasgow School of Art to sonify the new Reid Building designed by Steven Holl.  The performance formed a key part of the GSA’s Leverhulme International Network of Contemporary Studies Symposium in September 2015.

Thrones – an audience interactive sound-art work, premiered as part of the Intetain Conference at Columbia College Chicago, USA July 2014

Well Yeah – a fixed-medium sound-art work premiered simultaneously by way of a LOLA streaming system at MCUK Salford and Columbia College Chicago February 2014

Echoes of Friedrich Crossing the Irwell – a soundscape work which formed part of an installation at Carnegie Mellon University from October through December 2013

Stations of the Clyde – a sound installation to accompany an exhibition re-visiting Douglas Gordon’s work, in collaboration with the Glasgow School of Art, The Drouth and the New Glasgow Society Gallery – April and May 2013.

Deeper than all roses – a work for symphony orchestra, chorus, 4 vocal soloists and ‘rock group’ soloists, commissioned by Ohio Northern University and premiered there April 2013.

Timeless Shades of Green – commissioned by SCAW for bass clarinet and piano, released on their most recent CD on Cuillin Sound April 2013.  Subsequently performed on numerous occasions internationally.

So Long – commissioned for the Barbirolli Quartet, premiered by them in March 2012.

Magnolia Spring Unfurls – solo baritone saxophone and live electronics (c35’ duration) for the Italian saxophonist Marco Visconti-Prasca who commissioned the work.  Premiered in Modena in 2011. 

Ice – electroacoustic work. Received several Italian performances with Tempo Reale in their touring festival in 2011: Modena, Florence and Sicily. 

Resonant Shoreline – for solo piano and live electronics (c33’ duration) for the Brazilian/Canadian pianist Luciane Cardassi.  Supported by Creative Scotland; The Banff Centre Canada; The University of Salford.  It received performances in Canada (Banff Centre; University of Calgary ‘Discovery Series’) and the UK in Plymouth (Peninsula Arts Festival) and Manchester. 

Celestial Fanfares Fragmented for Horn Trio, commissioned for PRISMA the international Algorithmic Composition Conference joint hosted by the Peninsula Arts Contemporary Music Festival and the University of Plymouth, it will receive its performance on 26th February 2010.

In the Highest for Symphony Orchestra commissioned by the Pyynikki Symphony Orchestra, premiered by them
Sunday 24th of January 2010 at Pyynikkisali,Tampere, Finland conducted by Ari Angervo.

Glory Streams for Piano and String Quartet; commissioned by the Edinburgh Quartet and featured the pianist Lauryna Sableviciute received its premiere performance at Greyfriars Kirk, Edinburgh 13th December 2009.

Incantations: I breathe my eternal rock for 2 bass flutes and cello, commissioned by the Sound Festival, Aberdeen.  Featuring Richard Craig and Roberto Fabbriciani (Flutes) and Rohan de Saram (Cello).  The premiere took place in the SOUND Festival in Banchory, Scotland 15th November 2009

Solar for 2 Marimbas and Interactive Electronics, commissioned by the Brake Drum Percussion Ensemble, Treviso Italy.  The Premiere Performance took place October 5th 2009 – ‘Tra Galileo e il Futurismo’ – Padova (ITALY).

Mercy Litanies (Solo Bass Clarinet) commissioned by Tara Boumann, premiered 24th November 2008 Trento, Italy (dur. 14’).

Beasts in the Field a large-scale mixed-media work; a collaboration between Stephen Davismoon (Music/Sound Design); Iain Gardner (Animation) and Johnny Rodger (Text) gaining support thus far from the Royal Scottish Academy.  The first two parts of this cycle Beaver and Wolf (Soprano, Actor, Clarinet, Horn, Violin, Cello and Electronics) were premiered by members of The Research Ensemble in Edinburgh on 18th September 2008 at the Filmhouse Cinema (dur. 21’).

In Search of Peace (Soprano, Flute, Clarinet, Horn, Percussion and Piano) received its premiere 28th September 2008 in Edinburgh by members of The Research Ensemble (dur. 7’).

In Flight (Solo Violin) received its premiere performance featuring Andrea Gajic, Edinburgh March 2008 (dur. 8’).

Electric Dreams a live electronic chamber realisation of part of Mozart’s Magic Flute (Soprano, Mezzo-Soprano, Flute, Clarinet, Horn, Cello and Piano). Performed at ‘Behind the Scenes’ part of the Edinburgh International Festival August 31st 2007.  In collaboration with the Research Ensemble and the producer Wally Sutcliffe (dur.25’).

Beyond Your Valley (Solo Guitar) for Peter Argondizza, commissioned by him with assistance from the Scottish Arts Council.  Performed Edinburgh May 2007 (dur. 12’).

Ramuneles Fragmentai (Solo Piano) for Lauryna Sableviciute.  Performed at University of Glasgow April 2007; University of Edinburgh October 2007; Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama October 2007; Lithuanian Academy of Music, Vilnius October 2007 (dur. 6’).

Towards the Water’s Edge an electroacoustic installation over 16 channels was presented by Centro Tempo Reale and RAI in the season ‘ARIA-ACQUA-TERRA-FUOCO,’ in Florence, Italy June 2006. Realised with support from, The Carnegie Trust from the Universities of Scotland. (dur. 20’).

Love Eurydice (scenes from a music theatre work, in collaboration with the writer Johnny Rodger), was performed by Scottish Opera and Scottish Voices at St. Mary’s Cathedral, Glasgow as part of the Musica Nova and West End festivals in Glasgow June 2006 (dur. 25’).

Tower of Infinity (Solo Flute and Live Electronics) commissioned by the flautist Richard Craig, with assistance from the Scottish Arts Council, who gave its premiere Edinburgh May 2006 (dur. 12’) and many performances internationally since

Patricia’s Songs (a song-cycle setting texts by the writer Johnny Rodger: Soprano, Flute, Clarinet, Horn, Percussion, Piano, Violin and Cello), premiered by the Research Ensemble Edinburgh (May 2006 dur. 25’).

eleventeenth dream (4 Bass Clarinets) was given its premiere at the University of Rotterdam, Holland by the Scottish Clarinet Quartet (who commissioned the work, with assistance from The Scottish Arts Council) in October 2005 (dur. 10’). 

beneath garlands (Cello and Piano) was performed by Giedre Dirvanauskaite and Lauryna Sableviciute in Vilnius, Lithuania, as part of the Sugrizimai Festival  May 2005 (dur. 10’).  

…a common treasury … fragmented (6 Voices and Electronics) received its premiere with Die Neue Vocalsolisten and the CCMIX Studios in Paris, in the MusiPoeScifestival April 2005. (dur. 25’).

(this has already) Passed/Passing (Solo Bass Flute) appears on Roberto Fabbriciani’s CD XX Live Dream Flute on the Atopos label (ATP 003/4 see http://www.atoposmusic.com) released in 2005 (dur. 15’).

It Was Spring (String Orchestra) was performed by Ensemble 900 (conducted by Roberto Fabbriciani) as part of the Finestre sul Novecento festival in Treviso, Italy October 2004 (dur. 10’).

mist and branches against a white sky (Solo Piccolo) were premiered by Roberto Fabbriciani as part of the Finestre sul Novecento festival in Treviso, Italy October 2004 (dur. 8’).

Last Waltz in Santiago (Soprano, Electric Guitar, Violin and Live Electronics) this song-cycle for was given its world premiere in participation with the CCMIX Studios (Paris), featuring the soprano Janet Pape, in Edinburgh December 2002 (dur. 25’).

Tuba Concerto published by Mitre Music (www.mitremusic.com) (2001 dur. 15’).

Gift (Chamber Choir) received its premiere with St. Mary’s Cathedral (Glasgow) Chamber Choir, simultaneously broadcast over the World Wide Web. April 2000 (dur. 10’).

…staring through empty fields of time (Solo Trumpet and Live Electronics) Mitre Music (www.mitremusic.com) (1999, dur. 8’).

…against the grain (Solo Percussion and Live Electronics) G. Ricordi & Co. Munich Cat. No. Sy 3369. (1998, dur. 12’).

Thaw (Brass Quintet), was given its world premiere by the Mike Bennett Quintet (who commissioned the work with assistance from the Scottish Arts Council) June 1997 (dur. 12’).

waiting…and the moon?…turns  (Chamber Orchestra) was performed at the 1995 ECAT Young Composers Forum, with the Chamber Group of Scotland conducted by Martyn Brabbins, (March 1995, dur. 15’).

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