Sinfoniettas and Orchestral Suites
Bob has written a wide range of classical and orchestral works.
His most current projects include his Sinfoniettas and Orchestral Suites.
Sinfonietta No.1 'Silver' was premièred in October 2022
Sinfonietta No.2 'Heroes' was published in Summer 2023
Orchestral Suite No.1 ("The Animal Suite") was published in September 2024
Orchestral Suite No.2 ("The Three Musketeers") also became available September 2024
Sinfonietta No. 1
"Silver"
It started with the idea of getting younger people interested in classical music. Bob got to thinking what he could do towards that goal.
So he wrote his first Sinfonietta, an attractive and accessible piece for full orchestra. Each movement is around three minutes long, the length at which music is often streamed, with the first movement melody-based, the second oriented around rhythm and the third around harmony.
In its first year, Silver was played (twice) by Reading Youth Orchestra and had performances in America and Canada and is now published by Studio Music (UK).
It is included in the Texas University Interscholastic League's Prescribed Music List for 2023/2024.
Some notable dates:-
11th October 2022: First radio broadcast (BBC R4)
29th October 2022: UK and World Première: Reading Youth Orchestra with Aldworth Philharmonic Orchestra
15th February 2023: USA Première: Empire State Youth Orchestra
6th May 2023: Canadian Première: Ottawa Youth Concert Orchestra
Other performances Bob has heard about:
Nov 2022: Cameo Orchestra, Bristol (UK)
Mar 2023: Reading Youth Orchestra, Reading (UK)
May 2023: Richmond High School, Richmond (USA)
Nov 2023: Dakota Chamber Orchestra, Spearfish (USA)
Dec 2023: University of Richmond Symphony Orchestra (USA)
Dec 2023: LaCrosse High School Orchestra, Washington (USA)
As you can imagine, Bob rarely gets to hear about upcoming performances. If you are performing any of these works then please let him know, and/or do upload your performance to YouTube.
Audiences have commented about 'Silver', including:-
"The last movement is really gorgeous. Deeply felt. I wanted more. I don’t often say that."
"my wife loved it too, which is high praise indeed!!"
“beautiful, like a sunrise” (1st movement)
“really jaunty” (2nd movement)
“the vocal rhythm ... was reflected in the main tune… which was clever” (2nd movement)
“wonderfully evocative” (3rd movement)
"extremely moving"
Sinfonietta No. 2 "Heroes"
More technically demanding than the first, 'Heroes' follows the same principles of duration and accessibility.
The first movement of 'Heroes' is bright in style and diverse in texture and size, because heroes come in 'All Shapes And Sizes'.
The second movement is entitled 'Heartstrong' and is a melodically based movement with a romantic feel.
The final movement, 'The Red Prince', is dark and rhythmically dramatic, with a lighter, melodic break-out section.
Three contrasting movements that should be an interesting contribution to programmes for any orchestra.
Orchestral Suite No.1 ("The Animal Suite")
Five zoological sketches celebrating the natural world. Each short and accessible movement depicts a different animal: Monkey, Mara, Sloth, Pygmy Hippo and Giant Panda.
The first movement celebrates the monkey. Relentless, always chattering excitedly, always scampering and frequently trying to be the alpha male.
The mara is highlighted in the second movement. Known for the way it moves ("pronking") when danger threatens, this large rodent resembles a jackrabbit.
In contrast, the next movement, simply titled "Slow(th)", represents a seemingly weary and increasingly sleepy sloth. The music is necessarily in short sections, as energy allows.
The characterful penultimate movement conjures up images of the pygmy hippo, wallowing, like its larger cousin.
The final movement is all about the giant panda. Playful and clumsy in texture and treatment, it's almost clown-like.
Orchestral Suite No.2 ("The Three Musketeers")
Four sketches representing characters from Dumas' famous novel (Four? The extra one is all about D'Artagnan, who dreams of joining them).
The prologue is all about the brave, impetuous and enthusiastic D'Artagnan, who dreams of joining the musketeers. I took that message literally, and wrote this as a dream sequence. In D'Artagnan's dreams you'll hear his name being called, a quickening of the pulse, riding out to adventure and even a sword fight.
The principal movements represent the characters of the three musketeers: Porthos the Good-Hearted (he's humorous, vain and jaunty), Aramis the Romantic (he's handsome and studying to be a priest) and Athos the Leader.
Athos is described as being full of shadows, intelligent and precise, and with rousing horn calls supported by fast, unison string passages, I've made this, the finale, the most exciting of the movements to highlight his leadership and courage.
All in all it's a suite that should be an interesting contribution to programmes for audiences of all ages.
Interested in other pieces? Look no further!
As well as these works, there are other pieces of note, either because of their newness or because of notable performances. Please visit the "Other Orchestral Works" page for more details.
