for piano quartet. Par DAVIES PETER MAXWELL. The two nocturnes were composed immediately after major surgery, against a deadline, and, despite the music sounding unlike anything I have written before, I decided to keep them exactly as they turned out. 2010 is a Chopin year, and I made this pair of nocturnes into a little tribute, after playing through and listening to most of his output. Never before had I composed under these drugged conditions – the musical dimensions were enormously exaggerated, with each interval and each phrase being elongated out of all proportion, and the whole few minutes filling the whole of time and space. The orchestration, for piano quartet, was influenced by the very neo-classical feel of the chamber version of the concertos, and the harmonic language very much the result of pondering Chopin’s very individual take on J.S Bach. They are dedicated to James MacMillan and Amelia Freedman respectively. Sir Peter Maxwell Davies (2010)/ Répertoire / Piano, Violon, Alto et Violoncelle

Because a fine orchestra depends on fine players, Solo Time for Strings emphasizes individual accomplishment, progress, and achievement while preparing young students for participation in a school orchestra. The series teaches reading in conjunction with note learning, enabling students to start playing melodies as soon as possible, and is appropriate for class or individual instruction. The solos assist in a progressive technical development from 'twinkle, twinkle' in Book 1 to music by Vivaldi in Book 5. / Alto