Writing solo pieces became a necessity during the Covid-19 pandemic before becoming a fascinating challenge. As a guitarist who always used harmony as a means of anchoring a piece, writing for other solo instruments encouraged me look at new ways to create colour and to examine each instrument’s unique capabilities. Nevertheless, guitar techniques and harmonies always find their way back into my music, in one form or another!
Solo Works
Quiver
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Quiver explores the relationship between propulsion and resonance while demonstrating a strong affinity for blues music. Opening with octaves and bright rhythmic flurries in the upper register, the piano’s resonant capabilities gradually become more prominent through the use of blues-inspired harmonies.
Performed by Ben Powell (Hallé St. Peter’s, Manchester, September 2022).
Duration: c. 6 mins
Straight Shot Blues
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Straight Shot Blues was inspired by the music of Thelonious Monk. The piece intends to create the illusion of two contrasting soloists who experiment with the theme from ‘Straight, No Chaser’ before revealing the original tune at the very end.
Performed by Frankie Gale (March 2021).
Duration: c. 4 ½ mins
Reflections
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Reflections is built around a series of scales that were formed over a fixed axis and explores the various colours and characters they can create. On the surface, the listener will experience a dance motif that becomes more agitated before opening out into a expressive section characterised by virtuosic left-hand pizzicato. This plucked sound world eventually dissipates as the piece tumbles towards a climactic finish.
Performed by Yovan Markovitch (April 2021).
Duration: c. 7 ½ mins