COMPOSER’S NOTE

This piece conveys a panoramic pastoral scene, particularly inspired by the undulating Wolds of Lincolnshire, the county in which I was born and lived in until my early twenties, and also the peak district of Yorkshire and Derbyshire and the warmth of the people who live there.

COMPOSER’S NOTE

This original version for solo soprano and SATB choir first appeared on my debut album Blue in Blue in 2004.  It was subsequently recorded by Hayley Westenra for her Number-One-selling album Odyssey and, in 2014, Patrick was approached by Voces8 to produce a version for them with saxophone which featured on their Number-One-selling album Eventide.

The words, by my brother Andrew, express a heartfelt longing for the joys of heaven – a happiness to be shared in a future moment of meeting.  The ecstasy of this moment is certainly underlined by the soprano line, with the repetition of key words ‘mane‘, ‘gaudia‘ and ‘conventus‘ deepening the intensity of the yearning for bliss.

From 2006-2007 I was Classic FM’s composer in residence, and was commissioned to write twelve calming pieces for piano.  For the resulting album – Towards The Light – I arranged a piano version of Quanta Qualia as a bonus track.

There are also arrangements for Pedal Harp and Lever Harp.

COMPOSER’S NOTE

This joyful and evocative concert piece brings together conventional orchestral textures with a variety of ethnic percussion instruments.  The piano too plays a prominent role.  The music is in a type of arch form, beginning and ending with ‘droplet’ figurations and the use of rainstick.  Between these intimate sections are more climactic passages for fuller orchestra.

Rain appeared on my debut album Blue in Blue.

COMPOSER’S NOTE

In 2004, I was commissioned to write a work for an advertising campaign on the UKs’ largest classical music radio station, Classic FM.  It has subsequently become a seasonal favourite on the radio station.  I then asked my poet brother Andrew to come up with the text for a choral version which, many years later, was recorded by the Voce Chamber Choir for the album, The Nativity.

COMPOSER’S NOTE

From 2006-2007 I was Classic FM’s composer in residence, and was commissioned to write twelve pieces for piano.  The brief from Classic FM was to create soothing, accessible and sight-readable pieces but for the pianist there are a few more complicated timings that make it very interesting and rewarding to play.

The Gift is the final piece from resulting collection Towards The Light.  The three final pieces of the collection, of which this is the last, reflect the changing skies of East Anglia and also follow the Church year through Easter and The Ascension.  The Time of Sacrifice feels barren and mournful while the nostalgically swaying rhythms of Waltz aim to suggest the hope of new life.  The Gift marks the journey’s end when the goal of salvation is reached: a gift received but also extended, through the medium of music, to others.

Also available in a version for Full Orchestra.

COMPOSER’S NOTE

From 2006-2007 I was Classic FM’s composer in residence, and was commissioned to write twelve pieces for piano.  The brief from Classic FM was to create soothing, accessible and sight-readable pieces but for the pianist there are a few more complicated timings that make it very interesting and rewarding to play.

Towards the Light is the title track from the resulting collection Towards The Light.  It uses plainsong from the feast of the Epiphany, supported by added-note and suspended harmonies that create the feeling of stillness and reflection.

I also created a version for Full Orchestra.

COMPOSER’S NOTE

From 2006-2007 I was Classic FM’s composer in residence, and was commissioned to write twelve pieces for piano.  The brief from Classic FM was to create soothing, accessible and sight-readable pieces but for the pianist there are a few more complicated timings that make it very interesting and rewarding to play.

Waltz is the penultimate piece in the resulting collection Towards The Light.  The three final pieces of the collection, of which this is one, reflect the changing skies of East Anglia and also follow the Church year through Easter and The Ascension.  The Time of Sacrifice feels barren and mournful while the nostalgically swaying rhythms of Waltz aim to suggest the hope of new life.  The Gift marks the journey’s end when the goal of salvation is reached: a gift received but also extended, through the medium of music, to others.