Sub Navigation

Search Music:

Search for music by typing a word or phrase in the box below or by selecting one or more categories from the list on the side.

Or search for products by selecting an option below, and typing a word or phrase in the box above

  • Scores
  • CDs and DVDs
  • Downloads
  • Education Resources

David Downes  

Fields of Jeopardy

 Year: 1988
dance score for tape

  • Programme Note

    The rousing nature of Celtic music was the basis for this piece which deals with a theme of aggressive competition. It is the final section of a composition commissioned for dance by Michael Parmenter.

  • Availability

David Downes  

Insolent River

 Year: 1988
dance score for tape

Felicity Williams  

Paper Bag Princess

Duration: 12' 00" Year: 1988
musical for standard 2 at Elmwood Primary.

Gillian Whitehead  

The Bride of Fortune

Duration: 2h 00' 00" Year: 1988
A chamber opera focusing on the Italian migration to Melbourne in the 1960s

Hugh Dixon  

Undertow at Oakura

Duration: 30' 00" Year: 1988, r. 2004
dance theatre music for orchestra

  • Instrumentation
    (2)32(1)2(1)2; 4231; timp., perc.; strs.
  • Programme Note

    A moonlit scene on a lonely beach with long slow waves rising and receding. Gradually they become more intense; their inward and outward criss-crossing revealing a dangerous undertow. The music reaches a climax, and, certain motives representing two of the principal dancers are heard. The mysterious ‘chorus’ of sirens, of Part 1, is briefly heard, and the principal Siren appears moving front stage while the ‘chorus’ recedes. The principal male dancer now rises, and in a dream, and is drawn towards her. She leads him closer to the sea and they dance to the ‘sea’ and ‘siren’ music. As he tries to hold her, she again and again is allusive, and taunts him deeper and deeper until the sea engulfs him. He drowned and thrown back by the waves onto the beach.



    While living in retirement in Oakura I was given a synopsis by Val Deakin to write a ballet for her Dance Theatre in New Plymouth. She choreographed the second movement only and it was performed in New Plymouth with an ad hoc orchestra in 1989, myself conducting.

    Hugh Dixon, 22 November 2009

  • Availability