for solo piano (2024)

4’

I. My band and barges

II. What will we find after Bach?

Commissioned by the Thames Festival Trust for the Totally Thames Festival 2024.

First performed 20th, 21st and 22nd September 2024 at the Master Shipwright’s House, London.

These two pieces take after the old social role of sea shanties as ship work songs and refreshes them to our rivers. The first, 'My band and barges' is inspired by the premiere concert of Handel's Water Music which took place on the River Thames in 1717, much to King George I's delight who requested the musicians play the work several times on the same evening. The second, 'What will we find after Bach?' takes on the English translation of 'Bach', obviously a famous musical surname, and poses a new question to both performer and listener.

Many thanks must go to the Thames Festival Trust and their team who commissioned this work for the 2024 Totally Thames Festival in celebration of the ever-important River Thames.

Recording coming soon.