Video of Fantasia on a West-country Tune

Here is a video made from the performance of the new wind quintet version of Fantasia on a West-country Tune, (Op. 36a), recorded on 17 February 2017 in the Church of St Mary’s Riverside, Putney, London. The players are members of the London Myriad Ensemble.

This work is also available in two brass quartet versions: either 2 cornets, tenor horn and euphonium (brass band transpositions), or 2 trumpets in Bb, horn in F and tuba (orchestral transpositions) from Music for Brass. Additionally there is a version for clarinet, alto saxophone and two trombones. Any enquiries about this or the wind quintet version to me.

Concert by the London Myriad Ensemble on 17 February 2017

The London Myriad Ensemble will be performing a new arrangement for wind quintet (flute, oboes, clarinet, horn, bassoon) of my Fantasia on a West-country Tune (Op. 36a) in a concert of new music for wind organised by London Composers Forum (of which I am the Vice-Chair).

The concert is on Friday 17 February 7:30pm at St Mary’s Church, High Street, Putney, London SW15 1SN. Tickets are £12 or £10 in advance (call 07765 147324).

Fantasia on a West-Country Tune is available in two brass quartet versions: either 2 cornets, tenor horn and euphonium (brass band transpositions), or 2 trumpets in Bb, horn in F and tuba (orchestral transpositions) from Music for Brass. Any enquiries about this wind quintet version to me.

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Marta rag recorded by Neil Crossland

Marta-cover

I wrote this piece this year in the style (both musical and graphical) of the ‘classic’ ragtime of the early 1900s (though I think it still bears a few of my personal stylistic trademarks). It exists in both a solo and four hands version, and I have performed both versions a few times, the duet version with the dedicatee, Marta Mitchell.

The amazing Neil Crossland has now made this recording of the solo version. I hope you enjoy it. (Copyright in the recording is Neil Crossland’s. Copyright in the music is mine.)

Free concert 17 June

This concert at St Mary’s Church, Putney, London, will feature the first public performance of Marha: A grand concert rag. I’ll be playing this new composition of mine with Marta Mitchell, dedicatee and Polish virtuoso of the piano, which will hopefully provide a good finale to the concert.

London Composers Forum returns to St. Mary's Parish Church, High Street, Putney for the first of two free Friday lunchtime concerts on 17 June at 1pm. 

Musical Moments brings together new music by composers based in the capital and covers a range of accessible styles from traditional to contemporary. This first concert features pieces for solo piano as well as piano duos with the flute, saxophone and cello. The programme includes an improvisation by Mark Pampel, who has built a notable reputation as solo pianist despite being registered blind. Other works in the programme include a sonata for flute and piano, a grand concert rag for piano and a light-hearted, romantic Pas de Deux for cello and piano. 

The concert will last about an hour. It's a great opportunity to wind down at the end of the week and prepare for the weekend with music that is fresh, stimulating, varied and free. Many of the composers will be present in person and there is the chance to meet and talk to them about their music.

St. Mary's Church has a wealth of history, dating back to the late 15th century. Adjoining the church is a café – the Putney Pantry – offering snacks, drinks, refreshments and light meals in a relaxed setting. Do come along for lunch or a coffee and stay on to enjoy an hour of music by some of London's liveliest musicians and composers.

Entry to the concert is entirely free, but we hope that what you will have heard will inspire you to make a generous donation as you leave.

The second concert will take place at the church at 1pm on 1 July.

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Ceremonial March No. 1 new synthesised score

This is a new rendition of Ceremonial March No. 1 (Op. 45a) using Note Performer virtual instruments with Sibelius 7.5, @ David Arditti. This is as yet unperformed. Any orchestras or conductors interested, contact me. For instrument line-up see here.

The earlier rendition was produced with a combination of software and hardware instruments, but this is entirely software and at least as good if not better.

Such realisations also have the benefit of being far quicker to produce.

Lunchtime concert Friday 6 March 2015

I will be playing a new short work for piano entitled Moment Musical in a convert given by London Composers Forum at 12 midday on Friday 6 March in the church of St Mary’s, Putney. The concert is free with a retiring collection. Other composers in the concert are Andrew Glynne, Ann Wolfe (who sadly died last year), Janet Oates, Laurence Glazier, Martin Jones (pictured with me below), Peter Terry, and Tony Matthews.

David in St Mary's Putney

Ceremonial March No. 1 synthesised score

I’ve now uploaded a recording of the synthesised score of Ceremonial March no. 1 (Op 45a).

This is played from Sibelius 7 using in general Sibelius sounds for the strings and a hardware synth for the wind, which I think gives the best result.

For some reason the recording goes a bit poppy at the end. I’ll fix that when I have diagnosed the cause.

Orchestration:
Piccolo
2 Flutes
2 Oboes
Cor Anglais
Clarinet in Eb
2 Clarinets in Bb
Bass Clarinet
2 Bassoons
Contrabassoon
4 Horns in F
3 Trumpets in Bb
2 Trombones
Bass Trombone
Tuba
Timpani
Percussion (Side Drum, Cymbals, Triangle, Tam-tam, Tubular Bells)
2 Harps
Organ
Strings