12.

ANDREW DOWNES PUBLISHED WORKS

SOLO INSTRUMENTS WITH PIANO ACCOMPANIMENT :-
violin & piano; viola & piano; cello & piano; piccolo & piano; flute & piano; contrabass flute and piano; oboe & piano; clarinet & piano; horn & piano; violin, horn & piano

SONATA FOR VIOLIN AND PIANO Opus 52 (1994) 25'  View Score
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 Specially composed for a concert dedicated to the memory of Ernest Element, given on 3rd May 1994 in the Adrian Boult Hall, Birmingham, by the Kingsdown Duo - Roger Huckle, violin, and John Bishop, piano.
First Indian performance by John Mayer accompanied by Gillian Mayer at the Calcutta School of Music, also in 1994.
Numerous subsequent performances by the above artists and others, including Alla Sharova with Gillian Mayer, Erich
Gruenberg with Daniel Adni, James Coles with Yoko Arai, David Chadwick with Robert Markham and Robert Birchall, and many by the composer's daughters, Anna and Paula.
First movement recorded for Central Composers' Alliance CD by Anna Downes with Duncan Honeybourne in February 2001. Whole Sonata performed by these same artists on l lth May 2001 in Birmingham Cathedral.

'... Echoes of plainchant in an ostinato like opening provided the springboard for an Allegro of developing rhythmic complexity and melodic richness which drew to a close with effective lyrical naivety.
'A more sombre Largo was again carefully and convincingly shaped by the Duo, with its haunting melodic lines.
'The finale skilfully entwined reflective mood with rhythmic dynamism. This is a purposefully accessible work whose consistency of style and sense of atmosphere ensured its warm reception.'
THE BIRMINGHAM POST


POEME: 'THE GOD MARDUK' FOR VIOLIN & PIANO Opus 72 (1999) 6'  View Score

Composed for the Russian violinist, Alla Sharova, for her concerts with pianist, Gillian Mayer, as a result of their performances of the Sonata for Violin and Piano (see above) and the Piano Quartet (see Arrangements of Andrew Downes' Music - page 23).
Their first performance took place at the Voices Chamber Ensemble concert at St. John's Church, Fulham, London on 18th September 1999. Also performed by the composer's daughters, Anna and Paula at several venues in Worcestershire and the West Midlands
The God Marduk was the ancient Babylonian God. The music sums up the awe inspiring aspect of an ancient mythical God and also the playful nature he was said to have.


SONATA FOR VIOLA AND PIANO Opus 68 (1998) 25'

Transcription by Cynthia Downes of the Sonata for Horn and Piano (see below) for violist Phillip Houghton and his accompanist Jasmina Kulaglich.


SONATA FOR CELLO AND PIANO Opus 86 (2001) 21'

First performed by Sharon McKinley, accompanied by Duncan Honeybourne, on 23rd April 2004, at the Birmingham Conservatoire Music Xtra Festival, in the Adrian Boult Hall.  Subsequently performed by Janet Lindsay with Matt Davies (3rd movement) in the Great Hall of Oldswinford Hospital School, Stourbridge (2006), and by Rosalie Curlett with Duncan Honeybourne (complete work) at St Mary’s Church, Weymouth, Dorset in October 2012.

‘... contrast (fierceness/lyricism, delicacy/drama) was explored through often ritualistic instrumental exchanges, generating a succession of evolving episodes. Pianist, Duncan Honeybourne... and cellist Sharon McKinley’s... pensive and tender dialogue in the third movement and the cello’s simple and dignified theme in the second delivered real emotional warmth.’  BIRMINGHAM POST

 

SONATA FOR DOUBLE BASS AND PIANO Opus 90 (2006) 20'

This sonata was composed for David Daly (Principal Double Bass, Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra) and his accompanist, Duncan Honeybourne, who gave the first performance at Christchurch Priory on June 14th 2007 as part of the Christchurch Music Festival.  Subsequent performances have taken place at Montpellier Hall, United Reformed Church, Cheltenham, in August 2007; at Marlborough College (second movement) in May 2008; and at Sarum College, Salisbury, in November 2008.

 

SONATA FOR PICCOLO & PIANO Op. 74 (2000) 20'   View Score                                                                                                                                       

Composed for Keith Bragg, Principal Piccolo and Chairman of the Philharmonia Orchestra.
The first performance took place on 2nd August 2000 at the Town Hall, Stratford-upon-Avon, as part of the Stratford-upon-Avon International Flute Festival. Keith Bragg was accompanied by Judith Keaney. Their second performance took place on 24th October 2000 in the Recital Hall of Birmingham Conservatoire.


SONATA FOR FLUTE AND PIANO Opus 67 (1998) 25'  View Score

Specially composed for Carol Kniebusch Noe and first performed by Carol with her accompanist, Vicky Berneking in the American Cathedral, Paris, on 4th November 1999.Their second performance took place on 31st March 2000 in the Wilson Auditorium, James Madison University, Virginia USA.
Performed by Michael Jordan, accompanied by Thomas Stumpf, on 6th April 2000, in Lexington, Boston, USA; by Andrew Anson with Alan Cuckston on 13th February 2002 in the Recital Hall of Birmingham Conservatoire; and by Andrew Anson with Alistair Lilley in St.John’s Smith Square, London, in January 2004, and at Birmingham Conservatoire on October 20th 2004.

SONATA FOR CONTRABASS FLUTE AND PIANO Opus 99 (2008) 22'

Commissioned by the American flutist Peter Sheridan, this sonata was given its world premiere by Peter Sheridan accompanied by Claire Cooper on Thursday April 22nd 2009 at Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia Peter Sheridan, accompanied by Richard Shawgave the UK premiere of this work at the British Flute Society 7th National Convention at the Royal Northern College of Music, Manchester, on August 19th 2010. Peter has performed the work on numerous occasions on his recital tours around the world.


IN THE GARDENS OF BURDWAN - SONATA FOR OBOE & PIANO Opus 55 (1994) 20'  View Score

This Sonata for Oboe and Piano was composed for George Caird, for first performance with accompanist, Malcolm Wilson, at the Birmingham and Midland Institute on 20th October 1995.
The work was written during the months following the composer's visit to the beautiful gardens of the University of Burdwan in Bengal, India, and represents the composer's emotional response to this part of India.
George Caird and Malcolm Wilson recorded this work for CD entitled 20th Century Music for Oboe and Piano in January 1999 (Classical Recording Company: CRC 1009-2).  To purchase the CD, click   here                                                                                                                                                                  

The USA premiere was given by Marc Fink (oboe) and Todd Wellbourne (piano) in Wisconsin, January 2009, and these players gave the first broadcast performance on WPR Wisconsin in April 2009.  The CD performance by George Caird and Malcolm Wilson  was broadcast on Rhubarbradio.com in June 2011.                                                                                                                                                                               

Many performances of this work have taken place, in the UK, Europe and the USA, notably one by George Caird and Duncan Honeybourne in a concert of Music by Andrew Downes, on June 21st 2005 in the Adrian Boult Hall Birmingham, to mark the composer's retirement from Birmingham Conservatoire, and a performance by Christopher Redgate (oboe) and Malcolm Wilson (piano) at the composer's 60th birthday concert at Birmingham Conservatoire on November 29th 2010.
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             '... a substantial 4 movement Idyll, its sounds, as in all this approachable composers' output, genuinely imagined. Its combination of Indian inspiration and ecclesiastical modality proved magical.' BIRMINGHAM POST (21.10.95)

 ' In Downes' fantastic 1995 sonata In the Gardens of Burdwan, George Caird's oboe swung from raucous Indian piping to limpid English pastels exactly as this ravishing score demanded.' BIRMINGHAM POST (23.06.05)

Recorded samples of Andrew Downes' music and how to order CDs and videos


 

SONATA FOR CLARINET AND PIANO Opus 100 (2009) 21'

This Sonata in 4 movements was specially composed for Angus Meryon, clarinet, and Duncan Honeybourne, piano, who gave the first performance in the United Reformed Church, Salisbury, as part of the Salisbury Chamber Music Club series, on 2nd January 2010.

 

SONATA FOR HORN AND PIANO Opus 68 (1998) 25View Score

Commissioned by Roland Horvath of the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra, and first performed by James Lowe with Anne Madison in the Theresianische Akademie, Vienna, on 17th March 2001, with subsequent performances at a Hauskonzert bei Familie Horvath in Vienna (June 2001); at the Osterreichische Gesellschaft fur Musik, Vienna (December 2001); in the Recital Hall of Birmingham Conservatoire (April 2002); and the last movement in Trinity Episcopal Cathedral, Omaha, Nebraska, USA (August 2002) and at the Haus der Komponisten, Vienna (June 2004).  Ondrej Vrabec (Principal Horn Czech Philharmonic Orchestra) with pianist Daniel Wiesner, performed the complete work in a recital at the Villa Bertramka Mozart Museum, Prague, in September 2008.  In October 2011, the Sonata was performed at the University of Tasmania Conservatorium of Music, Australia, by Robert Stonestreet (horn) and Amander Hodder (piano).  Also in October 2011, a performance of the Sonata was given by Joe Boyd (horn) in a National Youth Orchestra of Scotland Futures concert, as part of the North East Scotland Festival of New Music.  

James Lowe and Anne Madison recorded the Sonata for CD entitled Schlosskonzert in March 2001 (This CD also includes Andrew Downes Suite for 6 Horns) see Discography.    To purchase the CD, click   here  

This work has been transcribed by Cynthia Downes for Viola and Piano for Phillip Houghton and his accompanist, Jasmina Kulaglich.

 

SONATA FOR VIOLIN, HORN AND PIANO Opus 93 (2007)

This work was commissioned by the Brahms Trio Prague (Ondrej Vrabec, solo and principal horn, Czech Philharmonic Orchestra; Monika Vrabcova, violin; and Daniel Wiesner, piano), who gave the world premiere on February 5th 2008 in the Suk Hall of the Rudolfinum, Prague, with subsequent performances at venues such as the Villa Bertramka Mozart Museum, Prague (September 2008), the Martinu Hall, Prague (February 2009), the Town Theatre, Jablonec, Czech Republic (March 2009), and the Philharmonic Hall, Lviv, Ukraine (October 2011). 

The Australian premiere was given by Bridget Graham, violin, Andrew Young, horn, and Lauren Simpkins, piano, at the Melba Hall, Melbourne, Australia on May 29th 2009.

The USA premiere was given by Paul Sonner, violin, Julie Schleif, horn, and Steve Larson, piano, at Emmanuel Episcopal Church, Petoskey, Michigan, USA on February 17th 2013.

The Brahms Trio Prague have recorded the work for CD, on the Czech Philharmonic Orchestra Artesmon Label.  Broadcasters of the CD have included Czech Radio, Rhubarbradio.com and Musicians Page Radio, Los Angeles, USA.   To purchase the CD, click   here

To hear this recording on YouTube, click:   movement 1    movement 2    movement 3

' ... a recording that deserves an international gramophone award... The three-movement work is thematically very tightly conceived... and has great emotional pull...  his sonata has a distinct creative poetry... ' HARMONIE MAGAZINE, PRAGUE, CZECH REPUBLIC (January 2008) 

' This is modern tonal chamber music at its finest.  THE HORN CALL (journal of the International Horn Society, USA) (May 2008)

'... everyone who listens to this record will surely confirm that he (Downes) writes interesting music, which... alternates interestingly meditative sections with playful sections and is narrating something constantly and relaxedly, which gives a great space for the imagination of the interpreters.'  HUDEBNI ROZHLEDY MUSIC MAGAZINE (Czech Republic) (May 2008)

'...the music is crisp, transparent, well composed for the musicians, and moves between cantabile, tranquillo passages and contrasting rhythmical gymnastics.'   WWW.MUNDOCLASICO.COM (Spain) (May 2008)

See Review at Musicweb International



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