The Parting Place
Chamber Opera
with librettist Sophia Chapadjiev
2022
Forces:
Duration:
Commissioner:
World Premiere:
Sop, Ten, Bar, Bass | Cl, Hn, 2Vln
6'
Royal Opera House Jette Parker Young Artists' Programme
8 March 2022 - ROH JPYAP Artists & Casco Phil at St Pancras Station, London, UK
About the work
A site-specific micro-opera, where an audience in transit observe a fleeting private moment between a couple, as they themselves are on a journey.
Stars and their Consolations
Storytelling Theatre
with storytellers Daniel Morden and Hugh Lupton
2021
Forces:
Duration:
Commissioner:
World Premiere:
2 Storytellers & Electronic Score
90'
Beyond the Border International Storytelling Festival
2 July 2021 - Daniel Morden, Hugh Lupton & Sarah Lianne Lewis at Dinefwr, UK
About the work
Stars and their Consolations conjures up Greek myths of some of the most prominent constellations in our night sky, weaving storytelling and musical soundscape together as one.
The work has been presented in both a traditional theatre setting, and streaming live through silent disco headphones in the night open air.
""Lewis' instrumental compositions served as a sonic backdrop... Atop a hill we listened via headphones, akin to a silent disco - the intimacy added to the performance's gravity and grandeur." - Buzz Mag
Cynefin
Dance Theatre
with choreographer Anna ap Robert
2020
Forces:
Duration:
Commissioner:
World Premiere:
Dancers & Electronic Score
40'
Ty Cerdd & Hijinx Theatre through Ty Cerdd's CoDI:Move programme
Cancelled due to Covid-19 Pandemic.
About the work
Created in collaboration with Hijinx Mid-Wales Academy actors, 'Cynefin' explores themes of community, belonging and home.
A Son to the Slaughter
Chamber Opera
with librettist Max Hoehn
2015
Forces:
Duration:
Commissioner:
World Premiere:
C-Ten, Ten, Bass | Hn, Perc, Pno, Vcl
13'
Written through Jerwood Opera Writing Programme 2014-15
17 Sept 2015 at Snape Maltings, UK
About the work
A short chamber opera, written as the culmination of Aldeburgh Music's Jerwood Opera Writing Programme 2014-15, 'A Son to the Slaughter' retells the story of Abraham and Isaac.
ORCHESTRA
L'Île des jamais trop tard
(The Island of Never Too Late)
A symphonic tale for Narrator, Solo Piano & Orchestra
with author Stéphane Michaka
2022-23
Forces:
Duration:
Commissioner:
World Premiere:
2(=Picc).2(=C.A.).2.2 - 2.2.0.0 - timp & perc - pno - strings, female narrator
50'
Consortium Créatif & BBC National Orchestra of Wales, in collaboration with the Seine Musicale, Paris.
10 Mar 2023 - l'Orchestre National de Bretagne (cond. Grant Llewelyn), with Vanessa Wagner (piano) and Céline Milliat-Baumgartner (actress), at Theatre National de Bretagne, Rennes, FRANCE
About the work
Both musical tale and animal fable, ‘L’Île des jamais trop tard’ (‘The Island of Never Too Late’) plunges the audience into the mind of a young girl facing an imminent climate threat to her home. A piano, a symphonic orchestra, and an actress come together to tell this story; one that is not so far away from reality, to reflect on the issues and pave a way for the future.
On an island in the North Atlantic, Lise is ten years old, and collects polar animals made homeless by the melting ice caps. Polar bears, penguins, sled dogs, and seals - these beasts all have a story to share. They advocate the cause of the endangered Arctic inhabitants, and warn Lise - if the ice melts further, her island may be in danger too. Lise must set out on an adventure to find the animals a safe new home, and to help the islanders face the threat of the rising waters.
‘L’Île des jamais trop tard’ (‘The Island of Never Too Late’) is suitable for children ages 7 years old and above. The work was commissioned by the Consortium Créatif and the BBC National Orchestra of Wales, in collaboration with the Seine Musicale. The Consortium Créatif brings together 5 orchestras (l'Orchestre National de Bretagne, l'Orchestre national Avignon-Provence, l'Orchestre national de Cannes, l'Orchestre de Picardie and l'Orchestre Symphonique de Mulhouse) to work for the dissemination and defence of contemporary creation.
"Alternating tonality, atonality, polytonality, rhythmic passages and evanescent episodes, it creates graceful moments for Vanessa Wagner's piano, both alone and with the orchestra" - ResMusica
Tourmaline
String Orchestra and Percussion
2022
Forces:
Duration:
Commissioner:
World Premiere:
Vln's [4 parts], Vla's [2 parts], Vcl's [2 parts], Db's - 2perc
7'
BBC Radio 3 for the BBC National Orchestra of Wales
22 Sep 2022 - BBC NOW (cond. Jac van Steen) at Hoddinott Hall, Cardiff, UK
About the work
A highly energetic piece that takes inspiration from the mainstream genre of electronic dance music. Moving through different textures as themes build and tumble apart, this work is a joyous sprint through an off-kilter landscape, delighting in the versatility of acoustic strings, whilst maintaining the loud visceral impact of the genre that inspired it.
"It had charm and gusto" - Buzz Mag
"Positively catchy" - Seen and Heard International
Creatures of Dust and Dreams
Symphony Orchestra
2021
Forces:
Duration:
Commissioner:
World Premiere:
3(=Picc).3(=CA).3(=BCl).3(=CBsn) - 4.3.3.1 - timp - 2perc - hp - strings
11'
BBC National Orchestra of Wales
10 Dec 2021 - BBC NOW (cond. Finnegan Downie Dear) at Hoddinott Hall, Cardiff, UK
About the work
A playful exuberant piece, reflecting on our human frailty, of falling and failing, and reaching out and growing together.
"Brash and buoyant" - The Guardian
"Exuberant and spiralling" - Colin's Column
"whirling... luminous... rhapsodic" - Seen and Heard International
The sky didn't fall
Symphony Orchestra
2019 / 2023
Forces:
Duration:
Commissioner:
World Premiere:
2.2.2.2 - 4.2.2.1 - 2perc - hp - strings
7'
Written through RSNO's Composer Hub 2018-19
Please contact composer if you would like to premiere this work.
About the work
Taking inspiration from the opening lines of Kerry Hardie’s poem, 'After My Father Died', 'The sky didn't fall' creates an atmosphere of of increasing unease and heaviness.
mind the gap
Chamber Orchestra OR Sinfonietta Ensemble
2018 / 2021
Forces:
Chamber Orchestra: 1.0.1(=BCl).1(=CBsn) - 0.1.1.0. - 1perc. - hp - strings
Sinfonietta: 1.0.1(=BCl).1(=CBsn) - 0.1.1.0. - perc. - hp - 2Vln, Vla, Vcl, Db.
Duration:
Commissioner:
World Premiere:
6'
UPROAR Ensemble
Sinfonietta Version: 26 Oct 2018 - UPROAR Ensemble at Chapter Arts Centre, Cardiff, UK
Orchestral Version: 19 Nov 2021 - BBC National Orchestra of Wales (online stream)
About the work
‘mind the gap’ is an energetic and noisy piece, inspired by a series of field recordings taken around the London underground system in January 2017.
"Transported the ear to a world of its own" - The Guardian
Is there no seeker of dreams that were?
Symphony Orchestra
2016 / 2018
Forces:
Duration:
Commissioner:
World Premiere:
3.3.3.3 - 4.3.3.1 - timp - 3perc - pno - hp - strings
11'
BBC National Orchestra of Wales
4 Mar 2016 - BBC National Orchestra of Wales (cond. Tecwyn Evans), Bangor, UK
About the work
Inspired by Cale Young Rice's poem 'New Dreams for Old', the work explores the journey through the poem of loss and grief, images of forgotten and discarded dreams, and finally towards hope.
"... a transgressive few minutes, with an eerie ambience" - Weeping Tudor Productions
"an emotionally engaged lament" - Seen and Heard International
From These Roots We Rise
Large Orchestra - Flexible forces (appropriate for children)
2014
Forces:
Duration:
Commissioner:
World Premiere:
Flexible forces - please check with composer
5'
Herne Hill Festival
18 Oct 2014 - London Contemporary Chamber Orchestra & the Lambeth Music Services, London, UK
About the work
Commissioned by the Herne Hill Festival, ‘From These Roots We Rise’ was influenced by memories of local music services and the nurture, camaraderie and inspiration from years of performing in orchestras and choirs. The music is appropriate for young learners and Grade 2+ musicians.
Chiaroscuro
Symphony Orchestra
2011 / 2012
Forces:
Duration:
Commissioner:
World Premiere:
3.3.3.3 - 4.3.3.1 - timp - 3perc - pno - hp - strings
6'
None
2 Feb 2012 - BBC National Orchestra of Wales, Hoddinott Hall, Cardiff, UK
About the work
'Chiaroscuro' explores the light and shade of the night sky, and is full of dense material and complex orchestral harmonies. The small melodic fragments hidden in the texture resemble those elusive stars, invisible in the city sky.
LARGE ENSEMBLE (7+)
a soul is more than a body is more than a number is more than
Chamber Ensemble
2020 / 2021
Forces:
Duration:
Commissioner:
World Premiere:
fl, cl, tpt, 1perc, pno, acc, vln, vcl, db
12'
Ensemble Télémaque
16 Oct 2021 by Ensemble Télémaque, Marseille, FRANCE
About the work
‘A soul is more than a body is more than a number is more than’ is a reaction and reflection on the government's managing of the Covid-19 pandemic. The piece was written with all those in mind who became one of the vast numbers; each was than their body in which they are carried, they were more than a number on a piece of paper.
"... a dazzling start [with] its menacing percussion and double bass ostinato" - Zibeline
we watch it burn
Chamber Ensemble & Live Electronics
2020
Forces:
Duration:
Commissioner:
World Premiere:
fl, cl, tpt, 1perc, pno, acc, vln, vcl, db
12'
Ensemble Télémaque
16 Oct 2021 by Ensemble Télémaque, Marseille, FRANCE
About the work
With its title taken from Greta Thunberg's speech to the World Economic Forum in 2019, 'we watch it burn' explores our collective reaction to climate change, using live electronics to loop and manipulate the musicians' material to create sounds of the climate emergency.
the blue and the dim and the dark
Double String Quartet
2019
Forces:
Duration:
Commissioner:
World Premiere:
4vln, 2vla, 2vcl
10'
Written for the Lucerne Festival Composers' Academy 2019
1 Sep 2019 by JACK & Mivos Quartets, Lucerne Kunstmuseum, SWITZERLAND
About the work
The material for this double string quartet is taken from several recordings of local birdsong, lightly manipulated to create pitches and rhythms, against the fleetingness of the gloaming.
Sunflowers in Autumn
Chamber Octet
2019
Forces:
Duration:
Commissioner:
World Premiere:
cl, bsn, hn, 2vln, vla, vcl, db
6' - 10'
Ty Cerdd & Berkeley Ensemble through Ty Cerdd's CoDI:Chamber programme
9 Apr 2019 - The Berkeley Ensemble, Cardiff, UK
About the work
Exploring the notion of a forgotten memory, 'Sunflowers in Autumn' meanders gently though a journey of remembering, much like the hazy golden evenings of Summer.
"... ethereal and haunting..." - Musical Opinion
"the players’ quiet whistling added an intriguing extra texture" - The Guardian
Train Tracks
Saxophone Choir
2013
Forces:
Duration:
Commissioner:
World Premiere:
SAATB Saxophone Choir
13'
Written through Making Music's Adopt a Composer scheme
29 Jun 2013 - Bristol Saxophone Ensemble, Bristol, UK
About the work
Written in collaboration with the Bristol Saxophone Ensemble, 'Train Tracks' has four short movements, each depicting a snapshot of a typical morning commuter train journey. The music is appropriate for Grade 4+ musicians.
SMALL ENSEMBLE (<6)
glitch
Wind Quintet
2021
Forces:
Duration:
Commissioner:
World Premiere:
fl, ob, cl, hn, bsn
5'
BBC National Orchestra of Wales
None finalised yet.
About the work
‘glitch’ takes its starting material from a well-known Welsh folk-song; ‘Ffarwel i Aberystwyth’. The The melody is not heard in its entirety throughout the piece; the fragments of melody becoming indistinguishable from the overriding glitching jumps and rhythms as the piece progresses.
first snow, falling
String Quartet
2018
Forces:
Duration:
Commissioner:
World Premiere:
fl, ob, cl, hn, bsn
5'
Written for the CeNM@S Composer Workshop 2018
Please contact composer if you would like to premiere this work.
About the work
This piece reflects on time passing, and the watching of - and our perception of - time and circumstance change.
Blossoms in bloom are also falling blossoms
String Quartet with Tibetan Bowls
2017
Forces:
Duration:
Commissioner:
World Premiere:
2vln, vla, vcl + 4 Tibetan bowls (please contact composer for options to hire the bowls)
20'
Written through Sound and Music's Embedded: Composers' Kitchen 2017
26 Oct 2017 - Quatuor Bozzini, Aberdeen, UK
About the work
Through the small, repetitive and slowly spiralling gestures, the work invites the audience to be still and listen to their own space within the wider world.
of lines and traces
Piano Trio
2017
Forces:
Duration:
Commissioner:
World Premiere:
pro, vln, vcl
13'
Bangor Music Festival
18 Feb 2017 - The Fidelio Trio, Pontio Bangor, UK
About the work
Conceived in three movements, the impetus for 'of lines and traces' came from the concept of architectural drawings; the clean lines, the white space and the mechanical nature of the measurements.
to slumber but not sleep
Chamber Trio
2017
Forces:
Duration:
Commissioner:
World Premiere:
a.sax, acc, db
10'
Written for Time in Music's Composer Academy 2017
9 Jul 2017 - POING Trio, Viitasaari, FINLAND
About the work
'to slumber but not sleep' explores the notion of memories in sleep, shifting and distorting at that point where a person is between wakefulness and deep sleep, where thought patterns are often disjointed.
Of Coal and Stars
String Trio
2016
Forces:
Duration:
Commissioner:
World Premiere:
vln, vla, vcl
12'
Written for Heidelberg Music Festival 2016
23 Apr 2016 - Isang Enders & Heidelberg Festival String Masterclass students, Heidelberg, GERMANY
About the work
Inspired by Bach’s Goldberg Variations, 'Of Coal and Stars' focuses on the ornamentation present in the Aria, taking the patterns and twisting them, placing them within a static and sustained environment, where they become the trigger for movement within the piece.
Shadow Play
Chamber Ensemble
2013
Forces:
Duration:
Commissioner:
World Premiere:
cl, bsn, hn, vcl
5'
Written as part of the Scottish Composition Marathon 2014
24 Mar 2013 - Daniel's Beard, Glasgow, UK
About the work
The piece explores the space created by light and shadows, and the sense of unease that an unexpected shadow creates.
Those Echoes Around
Brass Quintet
2012
Forces:
Duration:
Commissioner:
World Premiere:
2tpt, 2tbn, tba OR 2tpt, hn, euph, tbn
7'
Cardiff New Brass Festival
11 Jun 2011 - Wormshead Top Brass, Cardiff, UK