Three Rituals – for Tuba and Piano

In my composing, I enjoy exploring the possibilities of instruments I do not myself play and like to work in partnership with accomplished performers. In this way, I will quickly find out about anything in my pieces which creates undue difficulty for the musicians, as well as having the privilege of hearing a live performance. In this case, the collaboration was with tuba player Jonathan Rees and his involvement came with a request to write something for tuba and piano that could be played in a concert: there are many technical studies for unaccompanied tuba but very little tuba music written for its own sake.

A ritual is a repeated, stylised action which defines the culture and identity of the people taking part. It might perhaps be Sunday lunch, the Last Night of the Proms, or a wedding. I set out to use post-modern, minimalist musical language to create the atmosphere of a ritual.

The first Ritual develops some fragments of melody that were in my in head after a visit to a Greek restaurant. The flavour of Greek traditional music has, however, passed into memory (rather like the taste of the taramasalata), leaving my music to build a life of its own. The second Ritual uses bar-lengths which vary according to a system to create something rather more pensive and occasionally melancholic. Much of the third is characterised by a sense of fun, with its playful, angular writing and abrupt conclusion.

Please note, not all items on our website are in stock. This item may be in store, at the warehouse or on backorder.
You will be contacted if there is any delay with your order.