Piano
La cadenza sia corta
For piano
La cadenza sia corta was commissioned by Stephen Pruslin, who gave its first performance in London’s Purcell Room in 1974.
About the work
The title is Beethoven’s direction to the soloist – let the cadenza be short – near the end of his fourth piano concerto.
In La cadenza sia corta, it refers to the short, cadenza-like sections which interrupt the main argument — based on a well-disguised mensural canon, with sections for left hand and right hand alone — and finally fuse with it in the coda.
Scores and recordings
La cadenza sia corta was published by Price Milburn Music in 1977.
La cadenza sia corta — publication
A recording was released on LP in 1979.
Lullaby for Matthew
For piano
I wrote this lullaby to celebrate the birth of my nephew, Matthew, and it is dedicated to my sister Joyce, and Matthew. It was premiered by pianist, David Guerin in Germany in 1982.
About the work
This work for solo piano has been described by Fred Blanks of the Sydney Morning Herald as ‘a haunting gem for a modern baby.’
In Music in New Zealand Gillian Bibby wrote, ‘In a simple arch structure of 8-bar phrases, [Lullaby for Matthew] progresses in variations from naive simplicity to what could almost amount to a nightmare in the centre, then back to slumbering innocence once again.’
Lullaby for Matthew is suitable for intermediate pianists, about Grade 5.
Scores and recordings
Lullaby for Matthew was published by SOUNZ in First XV, an album of piano works for intermediate pianists. This is now out of print.
You can buy or borrow the score from SOUNZ.
The work was recorded by Dan Poynton in 1997 on an award-winning CD.
SOUNZ released a promotional recording in 1996, and Burnside High School included it in a CD of works suitable for Royal Schools piano exams.
New Zealand colours: alternative piano works for Royal Schools music exams — CD
This work has also been the subject of some education resources.
Rakiura
3 micropieces for piano
About the work
These 3 pieces were written to celebrate William Dart’s 70th birthday in 2017. They were written just after I had visited Rakiura (Stewart Island) for the first time.
Score
Buy or borrow the score from SOUNZ.
Song without words for Kai
For piano
About the work
This short piece was written to celebrate the birth of Kai, the son of Ryoko Tabuchi and Cameron Mewburn.
Score
Buy or borrow the score from SOUNZ.
Sunrise Pieces
3 pieces for beginning pianists
These short pieces were written specifically for Sunrise, an album of works for young pianists. They were first performed by Mary Barber on 30 March 2008.
About the music
The 3 pieces are called:
- What’s the taniwha’s story
- Sad song on a rainy day, and
- Pukeko.
They can be played separately or as a group.
Score and recording
All 3 pieces were published in 2008 by the Sunrise Music Trust in Sunrise — music from New Zealand for young pianists. Mary Barber recorded the pieces for a CD that accompanies the book.
Tamatea Tutahi
For piano
Tamatea Tutahi was commissioned by Sally Mays with funding from APRA and the Queen Elizabeth II Arts Council. Sally gave the first performance at the Radio Theatre in Auckland on 26 May 1980.
About the work
Tamatea Tutahi was written while I was composer-in-residence for Northern Arts, United Kingdom.
Score and recordings
Buy or borrow the score from SOUNZ.
RNZ Concert recorded this work at its Auckland premiere and again 2013.