Large Ensemble
Symphonies, Concerti, Wind or Brass Ensemble, &c.
Symphony No. 1
Instrumentation: Piccolo (1), Flute (2), Oboe (1), Oboe+Cor Anglais (1), Clarinet in B-flat (2), Bass Clarinet (1), Bassoon (1), Bassoon+Contrabasson (1); Trumpet in B-flat (2), Horn (4), Tenor Trombone (2), Bass Trombone (1), Tuba (1); Timpani; Violin (2), Viola (1), Violoncello (1), Double Bass (1), enough to divide part into: abc+abc+ab+ab+ab
56’
In four movements, this symphony was composed from 2022-2024.
The second movement is the only movement that is subtitled (as Heubad), and it is for divided strings.
The first movement is inspired by a number of things, with the central climax meant to represent the motion of the Zweihänder.
The third movement is a scherzo, and the final movement provides closure on some of the thematic motions throughout.
Harvest Festival
Instrumentation: Flute (1), Flute+Piccolo (1), Oboe (2), Clarinet in B-flat (1), Clarinet in B-flat+Bass Clarinet (1), Bassoon (2); Trumpet in B-flat (2), Horn (4), Tenor Trombone (1), Tenor Trombone+Bass Trombone (1), Tuba (1); Timpani, Percussion (2), Harp (1); Violin (2), Viola (1), Violoncello (1), Double Bass (1), string orchestra such as 10-10-8-10-6
16’
Working on several different levels, this work in essence is a saga of a life, from birth until death. It was composed in coordination with the Runic calendar (which is Metonic, as in a type of calendar accordant, approximately, to the relationship of the moon and the sun in a roughly 19 year-long cycle, despite its negligence of several, relevant factors). Additionally, it makes reference to dozens of Slavic, Germanic, and Norse deities, legends, and methodologies.
Featured within is a depiction of the birth of mankind, a fugue of Perun's Battle of Thunder, Odin's hanging on Yggdrasil, and progression of the moon cycle. It also uses the "Hejnał mariacki" as a binding melody to represent the will of humanity in face of the blinding power of the gods.
It was composed over multiple years and it includes numerous names, curses, and runes in order to construct a metaphorical narrative around the happenings of a person's life. In the end, only a compositional image of the earth witnesses the results. The work was the winner of a friendly intramural competition between composers at the RWCMD.
Premiered in St David's Hall on June 29, 2022 by the RWCMD Symphony Orchestra under conductor David Jones. Audio below:
Divertimento No. 1
Instrumentation: Flute (2), Oboe (2), Clarinet in B-flat (2), Bassoon (2); Trumpet in B-flat (2), Horn (2), Tenor Trombone (1), Tuba (1); Timpani, Percussion (1); Violin (2), Viola (1), Violoncello (1), Double Bass (1), string orchestra
11’
In three movements, this work is based on a trio for two flutes and harp that was commissioned by the Junior Conservatoire of the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama.
The original inspiration of the composition was on three paintings by the contemporary British painter, Shaun Hughes. In addition to this, each of the pieces is a tradition type of dance or poem, with the final movement being based on the virelai Polorum Regina ("Queen of the Poles") from the Llibre Vermell de Montserrat (“Red Book of Montserrat”) of Catalonia.
SCORE https://www.universaledition.com/en/Works/Divertimento/P0205391
Sinfonietta No. 1
Instrumentation: Piccolo (1), Flute (2), Oboe (2), Clarinet in B-flat (3), Bass Clarinet (1), Bassoon (2); Alto Saxophone (2), Tenor Saxophone (1), Baritone Saxophone (1), alt. bass clarinet quartet; Trumpet in B-flat (3), Horn (4), Tenor Trombone (2), Bass Trombone (1), Tuba (1); Timpani, Percussion (3), detailed within score
21’
This piece, composed for concert band, has three movements. Its main inspiration is "Nocturne" by poet Eino Leino. It is subtitled Ruisrääkkä (a type of rye-bird in Finland).
The music tells the story of the poem using words from it, with rhythms that reflect the poem's lines. Each word has a specific rhythm based on the cuneiform script of the Akkadian-Sumerian language. The shape of each cuneiform sign is preserved while the rhythm is based on its proportions, leaving the pitch flexible.
Throughout the piece, there are bird-like sounds and echoes of the corn crake's call mentioned in Leino's poem. The bass drum plays an important role, representing the Sámi tradition of joik.
Madonna of the Lilies
Instrumentation: Piccolo (1), Flute (2), Oboe (1), Clarinet in B-flat (3), Bass Clarinet (1), Bassoon (1); Alto Saxophone (2), Tenor Saxophone (1), Baritone Saxophone (1); Tenor Horn (2), Baritone Horn (2); Trumpet in B-flat (4), Horn (3), Tenor Trombone (3), Tuba (1); Timpani, Percussion (2), detailed within score
8’ 30’’
Awarded first place in the International category of the Warsaw Wind Ensemble Composition Contest 2020, my “Madonna of the Lilies” is based on a painting by Czech painter Alphonse Mucha. It is composed of two dances: a dumka and a furiant.
This performance was held on December 5, 2021 at the Ursynów Cultural Center Alternatywy. The organization was the Concert Orchestra of the Representative Artistic Ensemble of the Polish Armed Forces, and it was conducted by Michelle Rakers, who is one winner of the Warsaw Wind Ensemble Conducting Competition 2021.