Works for Percussion

Night Train (1993)

for percussion ensemble

• 2 Vibraphones
• Marimba
• Synthesizer
• Piano

Duration 11 minutes
Published by the composer

An unashamedly minimalist composition which evokes the energy and power of the huge freight trains which cross America's bleak expanses. Enormous fun to perform, it makes its point and then stops (unlike the tedious elongation of some other works in this style).

Scorpio (1995)

for multi-percussion and piano

• 3 Tom-toms
• 3 Temple Blocks
• 2 Bongos
• Woodblock
• Suspended Cymbal
• Tam-tam
• Tubular Bells
• Glockenspiel
• Vibraphone
• Marimba
• 4 Timpani
• Piano

Duration 13 minutes
Published by the composer
Recorded by Matthew Dickinson and Mervyn Cooke on the Metier label (released in 2005). MSV CD92049

Like Night Train this piece was inspired by the example of a University of Nottingham Music Department percussionist, Matthew Dickinson, who gave the first performance. This piece attempts to make a convincing case for percussion being more than just the icing on the cake of an orchestra - it is as serious a piece of music as any sonata for violin and piano (and a lot more thrilling).

Puppets (2003)

for percussion quartet

Commissioned by Drumstruck
Duration 10 minutes
First performance at Nottingham University, March 2004
Published by the composer