Works for Horn

4. Prelude and Fugue After Bach, Op. 44 (1991) Prelude and Fugue After Bach is scored for Horn and Piano and utilizes the first prelude and fugue from Bach's Well-tempered Klavier. It was written for the Canadian Music Competitions in 1991. I wanted to write a test piece that displayed the lyrical qualities of the Horn more than any virtuosic techniques. It has received only two performances. However, I have since arranged it for several other instruments: Violoncello, Alto Saxophone, and Bass Clarinet (the latter version recorded on the CD LYRE: Chamber Music for Clarinet).

3. Ode, Op. 31 (1984) This is a short (2 minute) setting of the last verse of the Ode to Newfoundland,scored for Soprano, Flute, Horn, Viola and Cello. It is certainly not a tradition setting in any sense of the word, but reflects a rather wild and dark view of the words. I later scored it for woodwing quintet (Ode for Winds, Op. 31a).

2. Shanadithit, Op. 29 (1983) This work was commissioned by the Victoria International Festival in 1983, a year that celebrated the arrival of Sir Humphrey Gilbert to Newfoundland in 1583. Even though the work was to be premiered as far away from Newfoundland as possible and still be in Canada, I decided to focus on a Newfoundland theme and to create a work based on the tragic extinction of the Beothucks, the aboriginal inhabitants of Newfoundland. Shanadithit was the last of the Beothucks and the work describes and pays tribute to her life and death. It is scored for string trio, woodwind quintet, piano (harpsichord), and percussion. It has been performed many times and usually creates quite a stir!

1. Neachora, Op. 22 (1977) Neachora (Greek for "new land") was the first major composition written since my move to Corner Brook. It is a setting of five poems by the Newfoundland poet Al Pittman and is scored for Soprano, Flute, Clarinet, Horn, Violin, Violoncello, Contrabass, Piano, and Percussion. While still a youthful work, it does contain some interesting and effective moments.