Chamber Works
The following pieces are for duets, trios or quartets and feature a wide variety of instruments.
Lodestones
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This piece was inspired by magnetised minerals known as Lodestones and considers both instruments to have magnetic charges of their own. The process of attraction defines much of the opening section, with both instruments frequently colliding with one another and exchanging motivic ideas. Closely intertwined with one another in the more static middle section, the violin and piano gradually diverge and fade away into registral extremes, unaffected by the magnetic presence of the other.
Performed by Rachael Masterson (violin) and Ciara Moroney (piano) in the Curtis Auditorium in Cork (November 2022).
Duration: c. 8 mins
In Flux
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In Flux explores harmonic stability and instability and was inspired by the wonderful clashes that exist between our 12-ET tuning system and the naturally-occurring overtone series. Beginning in a dark and static sound world, the search for harmonic stability creates a constant sense of motion, propelling the piece to brighter moments and an emphatic climax. After a turbulent journey, the clashes between the overtone series and 12-ET remain unresolved and fade away to an colourful, ethereal accord.
Performed by Psappha Ensemble (Cosmo Rodewald Concert Hall, March 2023).
Duration: c. 10 ½ mins
Ildaite
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Ildaite, meaning ‘multi-coloured’ in Irish, was inspired by the Northern Lights. This piece intends to evoke an array of hues from this wonderful natural phenomenon by focusing on harmonic and timbral colours. White, pale red, yellow, green and finally blue can be observed as solar wind particles emitted from the sun collide with the Earth’s atmosphere. Ildaite explores this journey, beginning with shimmering solar energy and eventually arriving at a deep blue which fades away into the night sky. The images shown reflect the colours influencing the music at any given moment.
Performed by Quatuor Danel (Cosmo Rodewald Concert Hall, March 2022).
Duration: c. 9 mins
Rebound
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Rebound is an energetic piece which explores how two contrasting themes (one lively and harmonic, the other bounce-like and rhythmical) can be shared and re-interpreted by various percussion instruments.
Performed by Sandbox Percussion (Cardiff University Concert Hall, September 2022).
Duration: c. 3 mins
Imperium
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Imperium was written in response to the Russian invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. Conflict between opposing forces and the struggle for dominance and control define the relationship between the two violins. Violin 1 assumes the role of the invader and dominates the opening of the piece with aggressive and unpredictable flourishes. Violin 2 – represents the Ukrainian voice more passive and subdued, it slowly builds to an expressive and passionate climax.
Commissioned by the SCS Killaloe Music Festival and performed by Diane Daly and Katherine Hunka (St Flannan’s Cathedral, June 2022).
Duration: c. 6 mins
Split Ends
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This piece challenges the traditional roles of the alto flute and guitar in a duet setting by exploiting timbral similarities and differences between both instruments. Closely linked and reliant on one another at the beginning, the guitar and alto flute gradually assume more independent characters as the work progresses.
Performed by Conrad Marshall (alto flute) and Tom McKinney (guitar) at a composer’s workshop in Manchester in January 2021.
Duration: c. 4 ½ mins
Al-Andalus
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Al-Andalus was inspired by my trip to the Alhambra Palace in Granada in August 2022. I was blown away by the amazing guitar and flamenco music on the streets and ‘Asturias’ by Isaac Albeniz could be heard echoing through the Palace during my visit. Using this experience as a source of inspiration, Al-Andalus attempts to recreate the music of the region by exploring various pizzicato techniques, embracing the rhythmic vibrancy of flamenco and paying homage to Isaac Albeniz.
Performed by the Carducci Quartet at a composition workshop at Cardiff University (September 2022).
Duration: c. 3 ½ mins
Duelling Reeds & Leads
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Duelling Reeds & Leads explores how the effect pedals I encountered as a blues guitarist can enhance a clarinet duo and produce a ‘futuristic clarinet’ – using a looper pedal to create the illusion of several clarinets and an octave pedal to achieve greater resonance and richness, this piece seeks to unearth new textural and harmonic dimensions for the clarinet by connecting two double reeds and various leads.
This work was commissioned by Dr. Kelsey Paquin and Dr. Aileen Razey, who premiered the piece at the 2024 ClarinetFest in Dublin (this rolling score uses MIDI audio, the premiere was not recorded).
Duration: c. 10 mins
Coiling Shoots & Springs
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Coiling Shoots & Springs explores how subdued moments of introspection and highly charged musical dialogues can originate from the simplest yet most effective of all dissonances: the semitone. From these points of near-convergence, compressed harmonic clusters and intertwined motifs unravel organically at the outset before being unexpectedly propelled into a fast-paced chase characterised by colourful textural interplay.
This recording is a MIDI excerpt as the work has yet to be performed.
Duration: c. 7 mins
Romance
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Romance was my first piece for instruments other than the guitar and reflects the strong influence chamber music from the Romantic Era had on my early works.
Performed by Ben Jacob (Bb Clarinet), Martha Campbell (viola) and Ellen Janson (piano) in Curtis Auditorium in Cork (May 2019).
Duration: c. 4 ½ mins
Cataract
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Cataract was written for the Irish Guitar Quartet during my undergraduate degree. Named after the waterfall (not the eye condition!), this rhythmical piece explores how terraced dynamics, sudden steps and call-and-response ideas can create a vibrant and pulsating atmosphere.
Premiered by the Irish Guitar Quartet in the National Concert Hall of Ireland in Dublin (May 2018). The performance was not recorded.
Duration: c. 5 mins
Forest Flight
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Forest Flight is a short experimental work for cello, tam-tam, suspended cymbal and waterphone. In ternary form, intricate left-hand pizzicato is accompanied and complimented by percussion in the opening and closing sections. Both players move to the bow in the middle section, which is characterised by expressive arco passages on the cello and waterphone.
This work was premiered by Jennifer Langridge (cello) and Tim Williams (percussion) in the Cosmo Rodewald Concert Hall in Manchester (February 2020).
Duration: c. 4 mins