orchestra + Large ensemble
Scores published and available for purchase from G.Schirmer/Wise Music the Australian Music Centre and NKODA
Jephtha’s Daughter - (2024)
A 20min oratorio commissioned by La Nuova Musica. This marks the continuation of two collaborations ,with librettist Jessica Walker who has written a new text and with conductor David Bates on a contemporary neo-baroque style incorporating period performance practices with my original compositional voice.
Jephthah’s Daughter
In Carissimi’s Jephte, and the biblical passages on which it is based, Jephthah vows to sacrifice ‘whatever comes out of the door of my house’, if only he can lead his army to glory. When the first person to greet him after his victorious campaign happens to be his only child, a daughter, her fate is sealed. In a beautiful final lament, she accepts she must die. In this contemporary companion piece, Jephthah’s Daughter, the young, unnamed woman challenges her father’s foolish vow, blaming him and the narrators of Carissimi’s oratorio for allowing her unnecessary sacrifice.
Instrumentation: Soloists - Tenor, Soprano, Alto. Chorus - SSATB. Recorders – 2 players, Percussion (1 player), Violin I, Violin II, Viola I, Viola II. Continuo - Harpsichord, Harp, Theorbo, Dulcian, Cello, Double Bass
The works has been written for a premiere with strings 1.1.1.1 The composer can also imagine a performance with a larger number of string players. The continuo section given above has used for the premiere, but a smaller/larger continuo section can be used.
Available to HIRE/BUY soon!
Custodians of the Sky - (2023)
A new 50 minute work to inhabit the heavens and the earth, exploring our imagining of the universe through music and poetry.
The work focuses on astronomy from a uniquely Australian perspective: the constellations as Australians can see them, incorporating recordings from Australian stargazing sites. The work links the listeners through our shared connection to space and celestial bodies and references different cultural interpretations of space and the stars.
The work has been commissioned by Le Balcon, France’s celebrated contemporary ensemble, and Australian singers Michael Smallwood (tenor) and Damien Pass (baritone). Custodians of the Sky premiered at the Musée du Quai Branly, Paris, 15th and 16th April 2023, in a version for tenor, baritone, chamber orchestra and electronics (comprised of field recordings from Australia stargazing sites).
The text in Custodians of the Sky comes from living Australian writers. At the start and throughout the work are the writings of indigenous astronomer Bill Yidumduma Harney and Hugh Cairns from their book Dark Sparklers. Five poems emerge as songs in the following order; Stars by David Malouf, Skywatchers by Margaret Bradstock, Perspective Passes over Us by Renee Pettitt-Schipp, Moon by A. Frances Johnson, The Moon via telescope by Margaret Bradstock.
With gratitude to Bill Yidumduma Harney for his generous guidance, encouragement and support, and to the Wardaman peoples, for holding and sharing celestial knowledge of the skies that are referenced herein.
Instrumentation: Tenor, Bass-Baritone, Chamber orchestra (Cl, Ob, Bsn, Trp, Hn, Trom, Perc x 2, Va x 2, Vcl x 2, Db x 2), Electronics, Video (optional). Duration: 50min
Available to HIRE/BUY soon!
Voices of Power - (2022)
A 45 minute oratorio for the Three Choirs Festival, Philharmonia Orchestra, soloist Hilary Summers and choir. A new text has been written by Jessica Walker and the work charts aspects of power through the embodiment of powerful women, from Boudica to Jacida Ardern.
Commissioned by the Philharmonia Orchestra and the Three Choirs Festival.
Instrumentation: Chamber orchestra (Fl, Cl, Bsn, Hn, Trp, Trom, Perc, Strings min 2.2.2.2.1.), SATB choir, Contralto soloist. Duration: 45mins
Taking a bow at the Voices of Power world premiere
Tracks in the Orbit, Saxophone Concerto - (2022)
A co-commission between the BBC National Orchestra of Wales and the Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra and premiered on the 29th of April 2022 at Hoddinott Hall, Cardiff, UK by soloist Iain Ballamy BBCNOW and conductor Fiona Monbet. The work was composed for jazz tenor saxophone soloist Iain Ballamy and incorporates room for improvisation within a fully composed concerto. The work is in 3 movements, The Mill, Devotional, Whirlpool and is joyous, rhythmic and highly melodic.
Instrumentation: Tenor Saxophone solo, Symphony Orchestra.
The beautiful opening of the second movement, with the soloist flowing and improvisatory against the drone of quiet sustained strings, was supported by Styles’s masterly control and Ballamy’s unshakeable poise in front of large forces ever likely to unleash their power but mostly holding its excesses in reserve. - Welsh Arts Review
CZARDAS - (2021)
A new arrangement of Vittorio Monti's Czardas for String Orchestra and solo violin. Commissioned by the Canberra Symphony Orchestra and premiered as part of Music by the River, February 27th 2021.
Instrumentation: Solo Violin and String Orchestra. Duration: 6 min. BUY the SCORE / HIRE the PARTS
No Friend But The Mountains: A Symphonic Song Cycle - (2020)
A symphonic song cycle using text from the award winning book of the same name by Behrouz Boochani.
Instrumentation: Bass-Baritone soloist, Chorus, Symphony Orchestra. Duration: 60 min. Available to hire from Wise Music, score via NKODA and Australian Music Centre
“Thumbed on a phone. Smuggled out. Thousands of text messages. The near impossibility of its existence. On Nauru and Manus Island, they live in a zoo of cruelty.”
Composing this work has been a huge milestone for my work, seeing me create my largest and longest piece outside of opera. I have had the chance to explore new sound worlds by using a large orchestra and singers, and have aimed to craft a journey for the listener which will be moving, confronting and life affirming.
Episode 1 of a 2-part documentary about the work is NOW available on the ABC iView.
Oboe Concerto - Neon Highway (2019)
In three movements this concerto encompasses a specific range of oboe material and musical qualities. These are broadly divided into fast music in movements I. and II. And slow music in movement III. In the two outer movements the oboe delves into its melodic and vocal qualities with other individual instruments joining in this form of expression also. In the central movement a move overtly rhythmic drive dominates, hinting at Spanish influences but eventually transforming into large blocks of harmonic information set against the oboe’s melodic and angular solo lines.
Instrumentation: flute, oboe, clarinet in Bb/bass clarinet, bassoon, horn in F, tenor trombone, percussion (1 player: ratchet, 1 wood block, tambourine, bongos, cymbal, low tom-tom), violin1, violin2, viola, cello, double bass (1 player per part). Duration: 18 min. BUY the SCORE / HIRE the PARTS / NKODA
The Concerto is: Dedicated to Ben Opie. Premiered on the 25th of October 2019 by Ben Opie and the Arcko Symphonic Ensemble in Melbourne, Australia. Commissioned by an anonymous donor, Red Note Ensemble and the Sound Festival, Ben Opie and Timothy Phillips. The work has been assisted by the Australian Government through the Australia Council, its arts funding and advisory body.
Toccata and Fugue (2016)
An orchestration for chamber orchestra of Bach's organ work, Toccata et Fugue in D minor, BWV 565. BUY the SCORE / HIRE the PARTS / NKODA
Instrumentation: Flute, oboe, clarinet in B flat, bassoon, horn in F (with mute), percussion (1 player: wood block, tambourine, low tom-tom), strings. Duration: 9 min.
Shades of Forward (2007)
Premiered on the 16th of January 2008 at 20:00 in Kubus, ZKM, Karlsruhe, Germany. Performed 19.07.08 at the Darmstadt Internationale Ferienkurse fur Neue Musik, Orangerie (Studiokonzert IV). BUY the SCORE / HIRE the PARTS / NKODA
Instrumentation: Flute, oboe, clarinet in B flat, bassoon, horn in F, trumpet in C, tenor trombone, violin, viola, cello, double bass. Duration: 9 min.
If on a Winter's Night a Traveler (2005)
Based in part on the Italo Calvino novel of the same name. Available to HIRE from Wise Music, score via NKODA
Instrumentation: Symphony Orchestra. Duration: 12 min.