Continuum for saxophone(s) and piano

This is a new composition (2024), commissioned by classical saxophonist Andrew Harrison (Sonoma State University) which had its world premiere at Schroeder Hall in Rohnert Park California on October 30th, 2024. It is dedicated to J. S. Bach. The piece is in 7 movements: 1) Incarnation, 2) Invocation, 3) Inheritance, 4) The Dance, 5) Free Flight, 6) Amen, 7) Continuance. The piece is written for three different saxophones--tenor, alto and soprano, The last movement features all three horns with piano interludes allowing the saxophonist time to switch horns. Some J.S. Bach lovers may recognise a couple of motifs from the allegro movement of Brandenburg concerto #6, sprinkled throughout this last movement, with most of the other musical lines taken from the previous six movements. My intention was to capture the spirit of J.S.Bach, employing different time signatures, moods, tempos and flavours but using contemporary harmony with a jazz flavour.

choir/orchestra

This is a piece composed for Bach Musica and performed live at Trinity Cathedral, Auckland, N.Z. in Aug. 2011. The words are a poem by N.Z. poet Bill Manhire.

Soli Gloria was also composed for Bach Musica and performed at Trinity Cathedral in Auckland in May 2012. This is the last few minutes of the piece.

chamber

Here are a few instrumental chamber pieces. The first one is the slow movement from a three movement

piece for clarinet, cello and piano.

This one is the third movement (Presto) from the same piece.

piano sonata #1

This is one of four piano sonatas composed over the past ten years or so. Sonata #1 is in three movements.