For high voice, clarinet in B flat and piano, the five songs are settings of New Zealand poems that evoke poignant memories of past experiences. They are of beyond diploma difficulty for the three performers.
Originally, A Jazz Burlesque was composed as a piano solo. It was later arranged for accordion trio, then for accordion orchestra. This string arrangement followed for the all female string ensemble ‘String Silhouette’.
This was a commissioned work for accordion orchestra premiered at the Royal Festival Hall, London, February 1993, with the composer conducting. Its New Zealand premiere was in July 1993 with Auckland’s youth orchestra, ‘Orchestra Nova’, re-arranged for symphony orchestra.
The miniature overture is similar to a pocket containing many treasures, little “goodies” collect over a period of time. It consists of several snippets of the melodies and rhythms from the composer’s other compositions. A Pocket Overture was awarded first prize in the Merican ATB (Accordion Teachers Guild) 31st annual compeition for original composition in July 1993.
This short anthem takes its text from the Old Testament book of Ruth. It is a statement of devotion and loyalty, and I have used the lines “Your people shall be my people and your God my God” as a refrain. To the biblical text I have added a concluding “Amen”.
The original version (for SAB voices) was written for, and is dedicated to, Bruce Baker – a friend and musical colleague.
The title for the lyrical orchestral work was suggested by the main theme which gives the effect of moving in a step-like manner. The work is reflective – almost a nocturne…