Peter Maxwell Davies: A Little Birthday Music - Full Score: Unison Voices: Score

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

As a lily among thorns was composed as a wedding present for Katie Johnston and John Hillier in March 2004. It was performed at their marriage in Christ Church Cathedral Oxford and later performed publicly by Commotio directed by Matthew Berry. The words are taken from the Song of Songs.The Novello New Choral Series is an inspiring selection of new works from a range of contemporary composers offering pieces for all types of choirs including sacred and secular works from simple four-part settings to more expansive yet accessible repertoire in an exciting variety of styles. This collection is perfect for choirs looking to broaden theirrepertoire and explore some of the best new music around.Thomas Hyde (b.1978) studied at Oxford University where he gained a doctorate in composition in 2008 and the Royal Academy of Music. His teachers have included David Matthews Simon Bainbridge Peter Maxwell Davies and Robert Saxton. In October 2008 he was appointed Lecturer in Music at Worcester College Oxford and since September 2009 has been visiting lecturer in composition at City University London. Prizes include finalist in English National Opera’s young composer festival ‘New Visions New Voices’ (1992) the National School Band Association Prize (1993) and a Wingate Scholarship (2004-5). His music is performed regularly in Britain at festivals including Spitalfields City of London Presteigne Deal and Little Missenden as well as abroad and has been broadcast on BBC Radio 3. Recent works have included a string quartet for the Allegri Quartet and the one-man opera That Man Stephen Ward for the Hampstead & Highgate Festival.

This short opera (duration of 50 minutes) aptly designed for children to perform with modest resources is a version of the familiar tale though with certain adaptations. Cinderella is an au pair girl who arrives on the scene bytrain and there are three ugly sisters who get their just deserts in marriage to the appalling leaders of the armed forces. Writing for children in the Orkney Islands Davies has also included some local references: these can bechanged to suit other times and places. Musically the piece is a bright sequence of little songs choruses dialogue scenes and dances probably best suited to children between the ages of eight and twelve though the parts of theugly sisters can usefully be taken by boys with broken voices.Text only.Duration c. 50mins.

This short opera (duration of 50 minutes) aptly designed for children to perform with modest resources is a version of the familiar tale though with certain adaptations. Cinderella is an au pair girl who arrives on the scene bytrain and there are three ugly sisters who get their just deserts in marriage to the appalling leaders of the armed forces. Writing for children in the Orkney Islands Davies has also included some local references: these can bechanged to suit other times and places. Musically the piece is a bright sequence of little songs choruses dialogue scenes and dances probably best suited to children between the ages of eight and twelve though the parts of theugly sisters can usefully be taken by boys with broken voices.This is a special item which is made to order. Please e-mail our Mail Order Department for further information.