Recent Works
Archæan
Performed by the Nordic Viola Ensemble
Archæan, derived from the Greek word for beginning, refers to the era hosting the earliest formation of life on Earth. The work is an exploration of emergence and transformation, inspired by Barbara Hepworth's sculpture, Figure(Archæan). Opening with all ensemble members playing ocarinas, I invite the performers to set aside their familiar instruments and engage in a form of music-making untethered from Western classical traditions. As an ancient instrument born from raw materials like clay or bone, the ocarina acts as a symbol of humanity’s early connection to the earth and creativity. Its ethereal sound creates a subtly microtonal, primordial timbre that gradually transforms as the musicians transition to their primary instruments, acting as a cultural artefact to bridge the prehistoric with the present.
Portrait of Ga
For Piano
In collaboration with the National Library of Scotland’s Digital Archive, A Portrait of Ga was written to accompany Margaret Tait’s 1952 film of the same name. Tait’s collection of small, personal yet universal moments, though seemingly ordinary, are imbued with an extraordinary sense of life. I felt the instrumentation that could best reflect this direct and natural sincerity was a solo piano; quietly self-sufficient and unadorned, but with a rich depth of colour and harmony. I drew harmonic inspiration from cosy jazz and 1950s piano repertoire, and made direct reference to the film’s original audio which features a solo clarinet playing The Road to the Isles, a traditional Scottish folk song. This piece is an ode to Tait’s poetic illustration of memory, place, and the enduring connections that shape our lives.
Wandering
For Bb Trumpet
Written as part of the Red Note Solos project with Mark O’Keeffe, Wandering emulates a free-flowing thought process, unfolding organically and unrestricted by any predetermined direction or destination.
Tethered Sentiment
For Piano - Performed by Sholpan Miller
Tethered Sentiment explores the notion of unhealthy attachment and its implications of nostalgia, dependency, and constraint. The consistently volatile nature of the piece’s structure is indicative of an increasingly unstable emotional state; harsh dissonance, rhythmic manipulations, and textural and dynamic contrasts recontextualise the initial melodic material, reflecting on the misguided attempt to seek comfort and security from something that is ultimately detrimental. In navigating the delicate balance between inner turmoil and external appearances, the piece seeks to illustrate the allure of familiarity and the beauty of resilience found in moments of brokenness.
Solitude
For Solo Viola
Workshopped in December 2023 with Garth Knox, this piece explores the dichotomy of solitude through shifting timbres of resonant bowing and isolated pizzicato.
Driftwood
For Wind Quintet
Driftwood is inspired by a seascape, using the warm, mellow timbres of wind instruments to depict a pastoral, rural setting. As the title suggests, the piece is representative of a transformative journey, weathered and shaped by the experiences it endures. The six contrasting movements follow a narrative arc from the initial excitement of departure, through stormy periods of unrest, to the ultimate calm of returning to the safety of the shore.