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Maria Grenfell  

A Feather of Blue

Duration: 09' 00" Year: 2000
for piano trio

  • Programme Note

    Commissioned in 2000 by the NZTrio, A Feather of Blue takes its title from a phrase in a poem called A View From A Window by New Zealand writer Kevin Ireland. I have always admired the wry humour and brightness of Kevin Ireland’s writing and many years ago set three of his poems for soprano and mixed ensemble. As a kind gesture Mr Ireland sent me a copy of his book of poems Skinning A Fish, and I was particularly struck by the imagery of colours, flowers, feathers and birds in this poem, which illustrates rain pouring down a window pane and giving way to a burst of sunshine after a storm.

    Maria Grenfell

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Mike Nock  

An Accumulation of Subtleties

Duration: 07' 04" Year: 2008
for jazz trio

Mike Nock  

Beautiful Stranger

Duration: 07' 29" Year: 2008
for jazz trio

Mike Nock  

Elsewhen

Duration: 06' 50" Year: 2008
for jazz trio

Keith Statham  

Flora

Duration: 05' 28" Year: 2003
for clarinet, flute or violin, piano

Chris Gendall  

GUNG-HO

Duration: 08' 30" Year: 2007
for trombone, percussion and piano

Rachael Morgan  

idiosyncrasies

Duration: 07' 00" Year: 2004
for B flat clarinet, cello and piano

Mike Nock  

Joyous Awakening

Duration: 06' 07" Year: 2008
written together with Ben Waples and James Waples for jazz trio

Mike Nock  

Makeru Ga Kachi

Duration: 05' 31" Year: 2008
written together with Ben Waples and James Waples for jazz trio

Daniel Stabler  

Piano Trio No. 1

Duration: 09' 00" Year: 2002
three movement work for piano trio

  • Instrumentation
    piano, violin, cello
  • Programme Note

    Piano Trio No. 1 is in three sections.

    Section 1 – Bars 1 to 25 The haunting opening theme gives a sense of imbalance and cross rhythm. This, combined with polytonality and energetic counterpoint typifies the wide scope of disparate expression contained in this work. The simple opening figures gain momentum and complexity in bar 2, then slow and slower until the robust introduction of the first of the round themes at bar 4. Varying degrees of counterpoint are juxtaposed in the succeeding phrases, along with the exploitation of three distinct themes in alternating patterns of rounds. The momentum is then diffused, winding down with trills and running semi-demi-quavers into the low bass of the piano alongside ponticello effects in the strings. Unexpected harmonies and intense flourishes are balanced across the timbre of the ensemble. Ultimately runs of harmonic glissandi mark the end of the opening section. The ending purposely engenders a sense of perplexity, of not knowing what next to expect.

    Section 2 – Bars 26 to 67 Misterioso Bars 26-40 mark the first sub-section, followed by the second, bars 41 to 53 and the third, bar 54 to 67. Various devices, such as sequences and pauses are implemented to cause the momentum to surge and ebb. The different melodies and underlying contrapuntal fragments are in constant interplay throughout each sub-section. Each individual sub-section has a differing tone and timbre as different ideas come forth and are contemplated. The third section comprises a great fugue which is a quadruple rhythmic elongation of the primary theme from section three (‘Calypso’) that follows. This is treated in four parts contrapuntally, one of which is retrograde to the others. The rhythm gains momentum toward the end of the fugue to propel you into the third section.

    Section 3 – Bars 68 to 158 ‘Calypso’ This lively, quick-paced, rambunctious section is hallmarked by virtuosic writing for all the instruments. Though not exactly in the style of a true Caribbean ‘calypso’, the repeated syncopation pattern in the piano gave rise to this title. Elaborate contrapuntal juxtapositions of past themes, with differing harmonies, clash and bounce off each other in a frenzy. The momentum is fuelled by the compelling refrain which first occurs at bar 94 and repeatedly in a chorus at the conclusion of the finale.

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