An essay in tension between soloist and orchestra. In the first movement long cello solos are contrasted with outbursts from the orchestra; in the second movement cello and orchestra merge – the cello sound coloured by various doublings; and the last movement is a moto perpetuo again contrasting soloist with orchestra. Premiered by cellist Alexander Baillie, conducted by Matthias Bamert and the Scottish National Orchestra.
for tape, saxophone, dancer and 'machinewoman' (actor-singer wearing a costume that includes a portable sound system enabling her to sing and speak electronically.)
A comic opera in one act which was professionally staged in 1996.
It played to enthusiastic audiences and reviewers, including Timothy Jones who commented that it was: “lean, witty and self-contained – wonderfully rhythmic, but spiky and astringent as the need arose”. Ian Dando’s review concluded: “Honest music with its sleeves rolled up”, while John Pattinson’s noted: “His orchestral resourcefulness is considerable and The Musicians of Bremen teems with interesting and colourful ideas all of which seemed to work like a charm. Ryan has developed a happy knack of being able to write effectively for voices or instruments”. Elric Hooper’s review included the following: “Christchurch … contains some of NZ’s best kept artistic secrets. One of them is Tony Ryan.”