COMPOSER’S NOTE

In 2012 I was very pleased to be asked by Decca Records to write a whole album on the theme of angels.  The resulting album – Angel – recorded with the Choir of New College Oxford and the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, went straight in at Number One in the UK classical charts.

The triple meter and lilting melody in Seraphim for solo piano combine to create a sense of quiet joy as the angels perpetually pray to the heavenly Father.

COMPOSER’S NOTE

In 2012 I was very pleased to be asked by Decca Records to write a whole album on the theme of angels.  The resulting album – Angel – recorded with the Choir of New College Oxford and the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, went straight in at Number One in the UK classical charts.

This piano prelude aims to create a sense of weightlessness and tranquility whilst at the same time having momentum and energy.  Like the Seraphim, the Cherubim are ceaseless in prayer, and the repeated-note figurations are designed to enhance this image.

COMPOSER’S NOTE

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 wrote Annunciation as a bonus track and it also featured on the album The Quiet Room.  This piece is inspired by the appearance of the angel Gabriel to Mary with the piano patterns representing the beating of the angel’s wings.

COMPOSER’S NOTE

This is the third piece from the Towards the Light collection for piano that I wrote during my time as Composer in Residence for Classic FM.  Inspired by my love of the Norfolk landscape in which I live and my Christian faith, the brief from Classic FM was to create soothing, accessible and sight-readable pieces.  For the pianist there are a few more complicated timings that make it very interesting and rewarding to play.

The piece before this in the collection (Serenitas) asks searching questions about the journey ahead and Arioso responds with a soothing outpouring of melody.  Meaning ‘in the style of an aria’ it introduces the lyrical quality which is a major feature of the collection.

There are also arrangements available for Lever Harp and Pedal Harp.

COMPOSER’S NOTE

Originally, this was the third piece from the Towards the Light collection for piano that I wrote during my time as Composer in Residence for Classic FM.  Inspired by my love of the Norfolk landscape in which I live and my Christian faith, the brief from Classic FM was to create soothing, accessible and sight-readable pieces.  For the pianist there are a few more complicated timings that make it very interesting and rewarding to play.

The piece before this in the collection (Serenitas) asks searching questions about the journey ahead and Arioso responds with a soothing outpouring of melody.  Meaning ‘in the style of an aria’ it introduces the lyrical quality which is a major feature of the collection.

The gifted harpist Eleanor Evans created these two new arrangements for harp; one for Lever Harp and the other for Pedal Harp.

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.

Ave Maria is the fifth piece in the resulting collection Towards The Light.  In this piece, based on the ancient Christian text, I’ve aimed to create a feeling of dream-like gentleness that exudes radiant warmth.

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.

Ebb Tide is the sixth piece in the resulting collection Towards The Light.  With its hypnotic undulations, it is a direct response to the spacious seascapes of the Norfolk coast and the eternal movement of the tide.

COMPOSER’S NOTE

I wrote this piece for solo harp for the former Royal Harpist Claire Jones who premiered it at How Hill in Norfolk in 2008.

How Hill is somewhere I’ve known since I was a boy holidaying in Norfolk and near where I ended up living for many years as an adult.  It is a very well-known landmark in Norfolk; the beautiful thatched mansion with its sweeping lawns down to the River Ant and windmill make this one of the most picturesque spots on The Norfolk Broads.

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.

My Beloved Spake is the fifth piece in the resulting collection Towards The Light.  This piece is inspired by the sensual language of the Bible’s Song of Songs and provides a quick pace and a great sense of optimism.

COMPOSER’S NOTE

In 2002, I was approached by the director Paul Johansson to write the music for his film ‘The Incredible Mrs Ritchie‘ starring Gena Rowlands, James Caan and Kevin Zegers.

High school principal Harry Dewitt (Caan) believes student Charlie (Zegers) stole local retiree Evelyn Ritchie’s (Rowlands) handbag, so he arranges a punishment that puts the boy to work in the old woman’s garden.  From the start, Charlie is puzzled by the widow, who believes she can talk to her dead husband’s spirit.  But, as he spends more time with Evelyn and her two mentally challenged sons, he begins to lose his anger and see life in a different way.

Pavane is the main theme from the film.  The simple guitar melody reflects Mrs Ritchie’s garden and her faith that all things can be reconciled in nature.  The climax of the Pavane comes at the end of the film and speaks of love’s triumph over death.

I went on to create a version for solo piano which featured on the album Towards the Light.

In 2018, international star Sarah Brightman asked me to rework Pavane for her album ‘Hymn’.  The award-winning librettist David Zipple came up with the words and the title ‘You’ and it was recorded in Abbey Road Studios with the London Symphony Orchestra and Crouch End Festival Chorus.  Read more >