Progamme Notes:
My endeavour with this work was to write a work that had a feature for each section only with a finale embracing them all. What developed was a work that featured brass and percussion, in the main, to begin, woodwind next and then everyone in a flurry at the end. What I have written is less programmatic than my usual output and that was part of my aim. I also wanted to write a work that gave time for the players to focus on making music and not scramble to acquit all the notes. My success in all these areas is best decided by you, the listener, and my dear friend Matthew George and his fine young musicians.

The first movement, Con Forza, is about power. It is not about aggression but about potency. The drums are foreboding, like parade ground drums, and not marching band drums. The brass themes resonate with power - loudness is not the demand but power is. The woodwinds spurt out flourishes, outline the brass force, giving energy to the lines of power presented.

Semplice, movement two, is about simplicity in melody; the melodic material is never fast; it simply floats and glides around gently. Flute in its lowest register is a delight to me. It has a quality very close to the voice I think. This movement is like chamber music and the brass and percussion just add occasional depth and fullness. Mainly it is about woodwind with a dash of piano and percussion – just a hint though.

Finally, movement three, Con Brio - with vigour indeed! Here the ensemble join forces to present ideas, dispute outcomes, decide direction and mull over previous thoughts. The melodic material is connected solidly to the music of the previous two movements. The melody that presents in oboe at bar 64 is a variation of the melody in the flute to open the second movement, but dressed more vibrantly and singing with more joy –less pensive in fact. The melody at the end that starts in the horns is from movement one – power and potency returns to dominate but not to crush. This is energy - vigour - and flashes of colour interspersed with jabs of light and dark.

It is a great privilege to write for the musicians of St Thomas, and a great joy! I hope you enjoy the work for it is a privilege also to write for you!