Orchestral & Choral Works

The following pieces feature orchestral and choral forces.

Litmus Papers

  • Litmus Papers examines the fascinating connection between music and the visual arts and is inspired by the colourful musical descriptions of synaesthetic composers such as Olivier Messiaen. Harmony, instrumental timbre and register play an important role in conveying four particular colours – orange, green, coral red and indigo. These musical parameters work together to evoke emotional responses which are intended to closely match the feeling or reaction a person may have when they experience the visual manifestation of a particular colour. First presented one at a time, the colours are gradually used in various combinations to create increasingly rich and intricate textures.

    • Performed by the UoM Symphony Orchestra (Cosmo Rodewald Concert Hall, March 2022).

    • Duration: c. 13 ½ mins

Score
Score & Parts

Entwine

  • Entwine embraces dualist concepts of harmony and post-spectral techniques to explore an equal-tempered sound world inspired by overtones and undertones. The piece begins with simple sonorities, isolating overtone and undertone elements to highlight their unique harmonic properties. Following an expansive canon, these polarised sounds intensify and are eventually combined to produce highly colourful harmonic planes.

    • MIDI audio: the premiere was cancelled due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

    • Duration: c. 5 mins

Score
Request Parts

The Milesians

  • The Milesians, cast in three continuous movements, is an 8-minute work for small orchestra and chamber choir aimed at younger musicians. This work was commissioned by the Kerry School of Music and sets various texts which delve into Celtic Mythology and the arrival of the Milesian race to Ireland.

    • MIDI audio: the premiere was cancelled due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

    • Duration: c. 8 mins

Score
Score & Parts

From the Chrysalis

  • This piece explores the strong progressions from darkness to brightness and from restriction to expansion in Emily Dickinson’s poem, ‘From the Chrysalis’ . Tightly spaced lines and dark harmonic clusters attempt to emulate the constriction of a cocoon at the beginning. The chrysalis gradually opens to reveal the boundless sky and meadows in the form of resonant chords, soaring lines and modes which radiate the refreshing colours of spring.

    • Performed by Somnium Chamber Choir (The Holy Name Church, Manchester, May 2023).

    • Duration: c. 4 ½ mins

Score
Score (With Reduction)