WHEN OUR RACE IS RUN
When our race is run is an English translation of a line from the latin text of O Nata Lux. I’ve just completed a setting of O Nata Lux for 8, unaccompanied voices (double SATB choir) that incorporates the Latin and English versions. It is effectively 4 verses (the Latin text followed by the English version) with short linking passages. Given that it is reasonably long, I have included an optional ending at the conclusion of the Latin setting. I had imagined it for 8 solo voices, but it could work equally well with balanced numbers per part.
As yet, I have no plans for a first performance. If anyone would be interested in having a look with a view to running / performing the work, I am happy to send a PDF score - Just get in touch!
LAST MAN STANDING
LAST MAN STANDING for Solo, unaccompanied Flute
Here’s a link to a YouTube video of Sarah Nielsen performing Last Man Standing.
It was written for Flautist, Kate Wilkinson, back when we were students together at the London College of Music.
The best thing about being at College was being able to work closely with players, with relative ease. As careers progress, diaries get ever busier and the chance to actually meet up and work on new music becomes harder to arrange!
The piece tells the story of the last person left alive on Earth and is available from J W Pepper as a download.
EVERYTHING STARTS FROM A DOT
Everything Starts From a Dot was selected as a test piece for the Irish National Band Championships held recently. Click on the title to link to a YouTube video of Dublin Concert Band’s performance.
The piece was commissioned by Dr. Matthew J George for the University of St, Thomas Wind Ensemble (St. Paul, Mn.) and thanks to the efforts of Jeff Mathews at Cane River Music has since been placed on the Texas Prescribed Music List (Which is a good thing!).
The piece takes its title from a quote by the Russian artist, Wassily Kandinsky and each of the three movements was written as a musical reaction to one of Kandinsky’s paintings. It’s not the first time that I have turned to Kandinsky for inspiration, but I will write about that another time.
Here are YouTube links to the excellent recording by the University of St. Thomas Wind Ensemble (Matthew George cond.) on their Naxos album, The Other Side