Commissioned by the Park Lane Group
Duration 12 minutes
Originally published by Schott: copyright re-assigned to Warwick Music in 1999.
A copy of the score is at The British Music Information Centre
Recorded by Simon Hogg on the Metier label (released in 2005). MSV CD92049
The Trombone is a noble and powerful instrument yet is unable to shake off clownish associations. My Sonata treats it with as much respect as any of the 'more expressive' orchestral instruments. The performer will need considerable strength and stamina (and the piano part is similarly big-boned) but the collective result is, I hope, both intellectually stimulating and emotionally satisfying.
"...a contribution of real substance to a difficult medium."
Bayan Northcott - The Independent
Folio I, Folio II and Folio III are published by the composer
Folio IV is published by Warwick Music
Each of the Folios contains six pieces and all were deliberately aimed at the teenage performer who needs music to stimulate his/her musicality (and especially his/her rhythmic security). Folio III has been performed by final-year flautists at the Nottingham University Music Department. The pianist is an equal participant in the musical argument (and also needs to be able to count!). I would humbly suggest that there is more valuable learning to be achieved from the pages of these compositions than in any number of Associated Board examination lists.
Duration 19 minutes
Published by Schott. ED 12283
Recorded by Steven Neugarten on Metier Sound & Vision MSV CD 92008
A copy of the score is at The British Music Information Centre
An audio extract is available:
Extract (Movement 1) - 477KB
Commissioned by Peter Lawson (who played the piece all over the country) this work has been described a "a contemporary classic." Less apocalyptically, other critics have commented - "the entire work, an ambitious structure by any standards, held together impressively" (Stephen Pettitt - The Times) - "the most striking solo piano work to come my way since Carter's Night Fantasies" (Bayan Northcott - The Sunday Telegraph) - "a formidable construction of Bartokian angularity, enclosing a slow movement of poised, sweet lyricism." (Andrew Clements - New Statesman)
A piece with which I have very few dissatisfactions (even after fifteen years). Steven Neugarten's recorded performance is masterly.
Duration 10 minutes
Published by the composer
Recorded by Costas Fotopoulos on the Metier label (released in 2005). MSV CD92049
An audio extract is available:
Extract 1 - 1.4MB
The title refers not only to the physical movement of the pianist crossing his hands over as he jumps from one end of the keyboard to the other but also to the expressive aggression which slowly infiltrates the work. At the end of the piece the swirling cascades of notes spiral outwards leaving two widely-separated chords hanging in the air - only to be 'untimely ripped' in the final bar.