| 1 | OBOE CONCERTO FIRST MOVEMENT | 7-10 |  |
| 2 | OBOE CONCERTO SECOND MOVEMENT | 4-25 | |
| 3 | OBOE CONCERTO THIRD MOVEMENT | 4-58 | |
| 4 | MIRACLE WATER | 3-56 | |
| 5 | LOVLIEST OF TREESS | 3-28 | |
| 6 | CROWN OF MAY | 2-57 | |
| 7 | VIGIL FOR SMALL ORCHESTRA | 3-56 |
I wrote this piece over a period of three years on returning from a winter 'Buddhist' retreat at 'Plum Village' in western France, with the Ven. Thich Nhat Hanh. I dedicate this work to him and the members of his community and also to all my friends, and especially my wife, Alison. (Paul Whittall 2005)
The Oboe concerto commences with a plaintive introduction for horns, a processional that is then echoed by voices. A vast expanse awaits and the silence is waiting for the imminent bell.
With the bell comes the first movement, the oboe dips and soars in a very gentle arc, Strings begin to assemble accompaniments, A moment to reflect, until eventually bells and songs rush in to celebrate, the cacophony builds until eventually the brass takes over the melody and there is a pause. The sound of the violin leads into a section of pure pastorality between the oboe and the larger strings. The movement is completed by a slow aria for woman's voice and strings, and then a short coda played by the violin.
The second movement begins with a gentle mix of voices bells and mallet instruments. Then an extended section commences with brass and strings to the fore. The positive energy of major keys suggest a grandeur in style, but the movement, like the rest of the piece is unhurried and rises and falls inevitably to its destination, its homecoming. Larger, night chords are heard and the music darkens and comes to closure.
The sound and textures of the final movement are similar in feel and style to the second, the oboe shining through the work like a bird soaring against first light, then dark backgrounds. The shining eye of the spirit in a peaceful place, following its own path as the meditation continues. Again there are lush harmonic strings and passages of exuberant light. In the background, gongs are heard as the prayer ends, carried to a place of rest, and smiling through the winter sunshine.
MIRACLE WATER
This short piece for chamber group is dominated by the clarinet. Beginning with a 'waking up' arpeggiated theme, is soon settled down in the familiar plaintive melody, so often used within the oboe concerto, a woman's voice weaves in and out and bells are heard. The pieces second section is a piano solo, improvisatory in style, and similar in feel to some of the earlier piano pieces in the 'Stars End' recordings of the early 1990's.
LOVELIEST OF TREES
'Loveliest of Trees', with tit's text coming from A.E.Housmans' 'A Shropshire Lad' has been set many times, and notably by Vaughan-Williams and Butterworth. This interpretation was influenced by the sadness of the wars which continue to rock our being on this earth. The music attempts to evoke an atmosphere of reconciliation and has a dreamlike quality about it seeking to combine a vocal tenderness with conventional orchestral textures; at the closure of the song, a coda for flute and piano slowly fades and the end is in sight.
CROWN OF MAY
Written in early 2003 for my forthcoming marriage to Alison, the Crown of May is a celebration of the pagan festival of Beltane, which we celebrate every year with friends, the poem looks to the immediate future and suggests the jumping of the fire that will carry us towards the day of our wedding. To carry the spirit of Beltane with us as we move towards the biggest leap of our lives together. It is celebration of all those spirits that guide us. The words come from nowhere and everywhere and of course the piece is dedicated to her as we travel on our journey together.
VIGIL FOR SMALL ORCHESTRA
Vigil for Strings (2000), a slow and plaintive study dedicated to 'all ' those who suffer as a result of not only the September 11th tragedy in America, but to tragedies everywhere in the world. A simple theme, adopted by all the instruments, is doubled in strength in the second section, suggesting solidarity and support to all humanity as it struggled to come to terms with what is happening around us. A prayer for peace and reconciliation. We are all brothers and sisters on the earth, and the kindness that lies in our hearts shall manifest in the world.