list of works
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explore ian's works
Below is a complete list of Ian’s works to date. After 40-plus years of composing it’s quite a catalogue. In fact, as he ventures to the bottom of long-abandoned filing cabinets and the dusty loft-bound boxes, this list is certain to grow and grow.
Many of Ian’s works can be found on his YouTube and Soundcloud accounts.
SOLO INSTRUMENTAL AND CHAMBER ENSEMBLE
Ian has composed many pieces for friends, family and students for a broad range of instrumental combinations, including a virtuosic solo clarinet piece for the wonderful Joseph Shiner – the first in his series of Dancin’ pieces featuring solo woodwind instruments, several solo piano pieces – one requiring the pianist to navigate a host of metal percussion instruments, and a recent reflection on the mask paintings of Roger Cowen for flute (=piccolo) and oboe (=cor anglais).
- Solo clarinet, harp, organ & organ
- Duos for single instrument & piano
- String ensembles, with and without other solo instruments
- Woodwind & percussion ensemble
- Duos, trios & larger ensembles
Orchestral and large ensemble
Until recently, almost all of Ian’s large ensemble output has been generated through educational and community projects, often working closely with ensembles and conductors to make bespoke pieces for specific musicians and events. Ian’s most recent orchestral composition – Canzoni d’Amore da Lontano – Cavatina for Small Orchestra was shortlisted for Composition: Wales 2021.
- Chamber orchestra
- String orchestra
- Symphony orchestra
- Symphonic wind band
- Symphonic brass ensemble
- Brass band
- Orchestral song cycle
vocal and choral
From challenging, intricate solo songs and song cycles to sacred & secular choral music, and music one of more singers with instrumental ensembles, from across a diverse range of musical worlds, here are listed a selection of the many dozens of pieces Ian has made to be sung by the child, the amateur and the professional alike. Ian’s collaborations with poet Stephen Plaice include the song cycles Late Muses (2015) and The Man Who Moves Behind Me (2021).
- Choir & organ
- Choir & piano
- Solo voice & instrumental ensemble
- Solo voice & piano
- Duets
- Children’s voices
theatre
Ian’s earliest theatre and dance pieces were composed for Clwyd Youth Theatre and Dance in the late 1970s. He considers himself lucky to have developed close working relationships with two dramatists: Bob Wallbank and Stephen Plaice. From 1988 to 2003 Bob and Ian produced several original drama pieces for community and youth companies in Montgomeryshire. During this time Ian composed many musical theatre and cabaret songs, dances and much incidental music. More recently, Ian has composed a community-chamber opera to a libretto by Stephen Plaice, and they have two further projects in embryonic stages.
- Cabaret
- Dance
- Incidental music
- Music-theatre
- Opera
- Pantomime
- Promenade
- Song
music for children and young people
Ian’s many years working in education and with youth ensembles have given him an insight into writing challenging, original music for children and young people, often leading them towards musical worlds that are strange and unfamiliar. Ian is at home composing for massed children’s orchestras, for youth choirs and for youth theatre, as well as making bespoke pieces for examinations and auditions.
- Unison & part-songs
- Solo instrumental
- Youth orchestra
- Graded string music
- Flexible instrumental ensemble
- Music-theatre
selected arrangements
A highly experienced arranger, Ian has always had a knack of reimagining music in whatever style or genre fits the occasion, the musicians and the circumstances. He specialises in transcriptions for odd combinations of instruments and/or voices as well as in the free re-composition of well-loved favourites and ancient music. This list is just a toe in the water of an ocean of exciting, flexible material. Just ask – Ian probably already has just the arrangement you’re looking for and, if not, he’ll happily put something together especially for you in double-quick time.
- Brass group
- Double-reed ensemble
- Recorder group
- String Ensemble
- Symphony orchestra
- Solo voice
- Youth choir
- Flexible education packs
Ian's Biscuit, Bread and Cake...
Ian’s other passion is baking. Read Ian’s Biscuit, Bread & Cake log for regular updates and occasional recipes.
