Dormant Spring

My short string quartet piece "Dormant Spring" was presented as part of Bristol University’s Composition Network Showcase 2021. The sparse texture and modal harmonies reflect the prevernal anguish and anticipation in the last days of winter.

The work was performed again in concert at the Bristol University Chamber Music Concert 2022. Watch and listen to the recording below.

The string quartet portray the beautiful promise of spring in anguished anticipation in the last days of winter. In March 2021, such prevernal feelings of tormented expectation were regrettably exacerbated for all of us during an incredibly prolonged period of social isolation. Such hesitant hope is personified in the ternary form of this piece, beginning with sparse, tender viola and first violin solos, the second violin not even daring to join in until the middle section, where, along with the violoncello it represents a more joyful awakening of life. Sadly, what seems to beginning of a new season in the middle section, is revealed to be no more than the desperate idea of one, and in the final section, unable to escape winter’s grasp just yet, the agonised promise of spring must continue to lie dormant. It is only a matter of time.

Snowflakes

“Snowflakes” was a short composition for Alto Sax and Piano recorded so masterfully by Amy Sheldon and ManHin Dewey Kwok at the Bristol University Composition Network Concert in spring 2020. The delicate nuances and beauty, brilliantly enhanced by these professional performers conjures up imagery of a wintry wonderland. Enjoy!

Dorset Youth Orchestras perform "Victory"

"A huge success. . . David was thoroughly professional in his communication and quality of work." Dianne Ely, Dorset Music Service.

Remembering the Great War, “Victory” is a profound orchestral work that commemorates the Armistice of 1918. In 2019, I joined Dorset Youth Orchestras on percussion to help them prepare for its performance, conducted by William Goodchild at the Bournemouth Pavilion. It was a huge success received with great enthusiasm from both the audience and young musicians and I'm incredibly grateful to the team at Dorset Music Service for this experience. Area Leader, Dianne Ely later wrote an endorsement of the work, which you can read here.

There is also a digital recording of 'Victory' on my SoundCloud samples here:

Incidental Music for the School Production of 'Othello'

In 2018, I directed the music for a local production of Shakespeare’s ‘Othello’. This was my conducting debut and my first experience composing a large amount of music in a broad range of styles (including early 20th century swing). The production was widely praised for its ‘effective and interesting’ accompanying music with an ‘aching beauty’ (The Fine Times Recorder).

The following song is Desdemona’s lament, taken from the production, sung by the stunning voice talents of Grace Macdonald (Desdemona) and Dannan White (Emilia).

Winning Composition for Bournemouth Arts by the Sea Festival 2016

In 2016, I participated in a Call for Scores opportunity for the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra’s contemporary music ensemble ‘Kokoro’.

In response to ‘The Sea and Voyages’ theme, I composed a five-minute piece called ‘The Argonauts’, highlighting the key dramatic moments in the Argo’s voyage and quest to find the Golden Fleece.

I was selected as a winner and had the opportunity to workshop my composition with the ensemble before the Bournemouth Arts by the Sea Festival.

I learned a lot from working with the professional musicians including principal conductor Mark Forkgen and composer-in-residence Hywel Davies to gain practical advice and expertise on my composition.

The following recording is remastered from the live performance and premiere of the work on October 9th, 2016 at the Bournemouth Arts by the Sea Festival.