14.
ANDREW DOWNES PUBLISHED
WORKS
INSTRUMENTAL ENSEMBLE Pianos
SONATA FOR TWO PIANOS 'The Lord will be a Refuge for the Oppressed;
a Refuge in times of trouble' Opus 40 (1987) 20' View
Score
Specially commissioned by Joseph Weingarten and Margaret Newman for their
concerts in aid of the Interdenominational Society for Soviet Jewry. First
performed by them on July l2th 1987 in the Adrian Boult Hall, Birmingham. The
recording of this first performance has been broadcast many times on Musicians
Page Radio, Los Angeles, USA.
Numerous subsequent performances of this work have been given.. The Sonata
was first performed in Israel by Bracha Eden and Alexander Tamir in January
1989 in the Israel Philharmonic Guest House, Tel Aviv, in a concert with
members of the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra, celebrating the return to Israel
of the Refusnik, Elena Keiss-Kuna. The work was broadcast on BBC Radio 3 by
Bracha Eden and Alexander Tamir in 1990, as part of a broadcast recital which
they gave in the Adrian Boult Hall, Birmingham. The Duo Scaramouche have played
the work at several venues throughout Europe, including the Salle des Arts,
Saint-Germain-en-Laye, Paris; on French Radio - 'France Musique'; and on
Italian Television in a full length programme featuring an interview with the
composer. Julian Hellaby and Peter Noke performed the work in the recital hall
of Coventry University in 2005, and at the CBSO Centre, Birmingham in 2008.
They recorded the work for CD in 2006. Margaret Newman and Duncan
Honeybourne performed the Sonata as part of the 150th anniversary concert of
Singers Hill Synagogue, Birmingham, in June 2006. This performance was
also produced on CD. To purchase the CD, visit Lynwood Music.
'Downes has taken Psalm verses as his inspiration for a deeply felt lament. The
music, with its use of Jewish religious musical idioms, is beautifully written.
There is poignancy, great dramatic tension and an overwhelming tenderness...'
THE BIRMINGHAM POST
SONATA FOR EIGHT PIANISTS PLAYING FOUR PIANOS Opus 76 (1999) 25'
View
Score
(3 movements)
Composed for an international group of pianists for concerts in celebration of
the millennium. First performed on 4 Steinway grand pianos at a special
millennium event at Birmingham Conservatoire on 6th December 2000. The first
Italian performance took place in The Conservatorio di Musica "Nicolo
Paganini" of Genoa on 21st July 2002. Malcolm Wilson, Paola Biondi, Debora
Brunialti and the Duo Scaramouche, who played in both premieres, were joined by
Mark Lockett, Cecile Deneau and Laure Pinsmail in the British premiere, and by
Philip Martin, Gisela Herb and Naoko Shibayama Aarnio in Genoa. At both
performances the pianists were conducted by Neil Aston.
'As with much of Downes' music, the Sonata is a combination of large-scale
gesture and delicate rumination. It exploits its resources effectively,
layering texture and sonority with great imagination.'
THE BIRMINGHAM POST
CONCERTO FOR TWO PIANOS AND STRINGS See
Solo Instruments with Orchestra Page 13
FIVE MOVEMENTS FOR PIANO AND STRING ORCHESTRA See Solo Instruments with Orchestra P.13
FIVE MOVEMENTS FOR PIANO QUARTET See Arrangements Page 24
LOST LOVE - piano, flute, cello, soprano voice - See under Song Cycles Page 3
Piano duet with string orchestra, percussion and SATB
chorus - see A SAINT LUKE PASSION
Page 6