Andrew McBirnie

THE ROCKING-HORSE WINNER

Chamber opera in two acts. Libretto by Bethan Scourse Jones, based on the short story by D.H.Lawrence. Light soprano, mezzo-soprano, light tenor, baritone, 1.1.1.1.1.1.0.0.2perc.pno.hp.1.1.1.1.1. Composed October 1995 - March 1996. Duration: approx 52 mins.

Performances:
1. 14:07:96 Workshop performance of three scenes and other short excerpts by Suzanna Marks (soprano), Natalia Burtt-Jones (soprano), Leigh Melrose (baritone), Janet Winstone (piano) at the 6th International D.H.Lawrence conference, Djanogly Recital Hall, University of Nottingham

Opera scene. Libretto by Bethan Scourse Jones, based on the novel Life on the Mississippi by Mark Twain. Two mezzo-sopranos, tenor, high baritone, piano. Composed January-April 2001. Duration: approx 35 mins.

Performances:
1. 13:04:01 Workshop performance at ENO Studio, Pitfield Street, London, by Shaunaid Amette, Lore Lixenberg, Norbert Meyn, Michael Burke (singers), Tony Gray (piano), Stuart Stratford (musical director), Tess Gibbs (director)

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SINFONIETTA

Re-orchestration of Chamber Symphony for chamber orchestra (2.2.2.2;2.2.0.0.timps.strings). Orchestrated March - May 1995. Dedicated to Adrian Beaumont

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CHAMBER SYMPHONY

Ensemble (1.1.1.1;1.1.1.0.pno.2.2.2.2.1). Duration: approx. 18 minutes. Composed November 1990 - February 1991. 1. Maestoso - Allegro; 2. Lento piangevole - Allegro; 3. Vivace - Moderato.

Performances:
1. 08:05:91 by Bristol University New Music Ensemble, conducted by Adrian Beaumont, in the Great Hall, Wills Memorial Building, at a University lunchtime concert
2. 15:03:92 by Bristol University New Music Ensemble, conducted by Adrian Beaumont, in the David Russell Theatre, Portsmouth Grammar School, as part of Tempo '92
3. 23:11:93 Readthrough by the Manson Ensemble of the Royal Academy of Music

CITY

For ensemble (cl/sax 1, cl/sax 2, flute/bass gt, trp, trb, vn, elec gt, piano, perc, drumkit). Composed July-August 1999 for, and dedicated to, Tim Adnitt and Avenue A. Duration: approx 10/11 mins.

Performances:
1. 27:06:00 by Avenue A at The Oratory School
2. 20:03:04 by Avenue A at Pangbourne College , Berkshire
3. 11:05:04 by Avenue A at the John Lyon School , Harrow , London
4. 23:10:04 by Avenue A at The Warehouse, London

RITORNEL

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For ensemble (fl/picc, alto sax/sop sax, cl/bass cl, piano, 2 vn, vla, vc.) Composed April - May 2000, revised 2001, for, and dedicated to, Lisa Osmialowski and the Bennelong Ensemble. Duration: approx. 7 mins.

Performances:
1. 25:05:00 by the Bennelong Ensemble at the British Music Information Centre, London
2. 03:04:02 by the Bennelong Ensemble at the Purcell Room, London
3. 02:11:05 by the University of Illinois New Music Ensemble at the Krannert Center for the Performing Arts, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign.

Competitions:
1. Honourable Mention in the 2005 Salvatore Martirano Memorial Composition Award, University of Illinois

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THAT NOTE YOU HOLD

Cycle of four poems by Philip Larkin for soprano, piano and seven solo strings (2.2.2.1). Duration: approx. 20 minutes. Composed July - September 1991

Performances:
1. 29:11:91 by Bristol University musicians (inc. Lucy Ann Brown, soprano; Ceri Simpson, piano; conducted by Andrew McBirnie) at Music Department Composers' Concert, Reception Room, Wills Memorial Building
2. 23:06:95 by RAM musicians (inc. Suzanna Marks, soprano; Julietta Demetriades, piano; conducted by Andrew McBirnie) at Wraysbury Musikfest

ETERNAL ICE

Soprano solo, organ, percussion (two players). Words from the poem Apocalypse by Bethan Jones. Commissioned by and dedicated to Mme. Yvonne Loriod to mark the dedication of the Royal Academy of Music's new Van den Heuvel organ. Composed January - March 1994. Duration: approx. 12 minutes.

Performances:
1. 18:05:94 by Emma Silversides (soprano), Kimberley Marshall (organ), Scott Bywater and Joe Cooper (percussion), and conducted by Justin Connolly, at the Messaien Festival, Royal Academy of Music, London

RINGS OF GRAIN

Cantata for soprano solo, organ, brass (two horns, two trumpets, two trombones), two harps and percussion (4 players). Composed August - September 1994, at the request of Mme. Yvonne Loriod. Duration: approx 35 minutes. 1. Prelude; 2. Summer Dawn (William Morris); 3. Hurrahing in Harvest (Gerard Manley Hopkins); 4. Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening (Robert Frost); 5. The Trees (Philip Larkin); 6. Postlude. Dedicated to Mme. Yvonne Loriod

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TRIO I

Clarinet in Bb, cello, piano. Duration: approx. 11/12 minutes. Composed January - April 1988

Performances:
1. 07:07:89 by Joy Farrall, Jonathan Williams and Shelagh Sutherland of the London Sinfonietta at the Young Composers' Workshop in the Menuhin Room, Portsmouth Central Library, as part of Tempo '89
2. 03:05:91 by the de Saram Trio at Bristol University Dept. of Music
3. 17:11:01 by the Farr Ensemble at the British Music Information Centre, London
4. 03:11:02 by the Ephyra Trio at the Hyde Room, High Barnet, London

STRING QUARTET No. 1

Duration: approx. 7/8 minutes. Composed October - December 1989

Performances:
1. 04:05:90 Readthrough by the Britten Quartet at Bristol University Dept. of Music
2. 03:02:91 Workshop performance by the Kreutzer Quartet in Portsmouth Cathedral, as part of Tempo '91

FANFARE

Brass quintet (2 trumpets in Bb, horn in F, trombone, tuba). Duration: approx. 2 minutes. Composed November 1990.

Performances:
1. 05:01:91 by Solent Youth Brass at Holy Spirit Church, Southsea
2. 16:03:96 by Onyx Brass at Spitalfields Market Opera, London
3. 20:11:05 by Maritime Brass at St John's Roman Catholic Cathedral, Portsmouth

STRING QUARTET No. 2

Duration: approx. 12 minutes. Composed November - December 1991. 1. Prologue; 2. Dance; 3. Epilogue

Performances:
1. 08:05:92 Workshop performance by the Uro Boros Ensemble, Bristol University Music Department
2. 27:10:94 by the Thamesis Quartet at Homewood Road United Reformed Church, St. Albans
3. 25:11:94 by the Thamesis Quartet at a 'Mainly New' Concert, RAM, London
4. 01:03:95 by the Thamesis Quartet at the British Music Information Centre, London
5. 19:03:02 by the Emanon Quartet at The Warehouse, London

OBOE QUARTET

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Oboe, violin, viola, cello. Duration: approx. 9 minutes. Composed February 1993.

Performances:
1. 17:04:93 by Camerada at the Michael Nott Rotunda, Portsmouth Grammar School
2. 13:08:95 by Tanglewood Fellows at the Seiji Ozawa Hall, Tanglewood Music Center, Massechusetts, USA

Broadcasts:
1. 12:07:96 by Tanglewood Fellows on Hear and Now, BBC Radio 3 Tanglewood Weekend

STRING QUARTET No. 3 ("Mini-Variations")

Violin, viola, 2 cellos. Duration: approx. 11 minutes. Commissioned by the Parnassus Ensemble, and composed March - April 1993. Dedicated to Peter Sheppard and the Parnassus Ensemble

Performances:
1. 21:10:93 by the Parnassus Ensemble (dir. Peter Sheppard) at the Trinity Theatre and Arts Centre, Tunbridge Wells, Kent.

TRIO II

Violin, clarinet in Bb, piano. Composed June 1994. Duration: approx. 5/6 minutes.

Performances:
1. 12:08:95 by Tanglewood Fellows (Vivienne Kim, Derek Bermel, Naomi Niskala) at Tanglewood, Massechusetts, U.S.A.

SONATINA FOR BRASS
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Brass quintet (two trumpets in Bb, horn in F, trombone, tuba). Composed July - August 1995. Duration: approx. 12 minutes. 1. Allegro assai con spirito; 2. Lento; con tenerezza; 3. Moderato quasi allegro molto. Dedicated to Amos Miller and Onyx Brass.

Performances:
1. 16:03:96 by Onyx Brass at Spitalfields Market Opera, London
2. 22:06:96 by Karelia Brass at the Michael Nott Rotunda, Portsmouth Grammar School (first movt. only)
3. 28:11:96 by Karelia Brass at the British Music Information Centre, London (first movt. only)
4. 03:11:05 by the Faculty Brass Quintet of l'Université Laval at l'église Notre-Dame-de-Jacques-Cartier, Quebec City, Canada
5. 10:11:05 by the Faculty Brass Quintet of l'Université Laval, Quebec City, at l'Université Laval

Recordings:
1. By Onyx Brass on the Intim Musik label (IMCD 058)

LYRAE I

Violin and cello duo. Composed July - August 1997. Duration: approx. 7 mins. 1. Moderato delicamente; 2. Allegro meccanico; 3. Lento; 4. Moderato, quasi poco allegro, ma non alla frenesia

Performances:
1. 03:98 by Peter Sheppard and Neil Heyde in the Psaphos Municipal Theatre, Cyprus
2. 14:06:00 by Camerada at the Conway Hall, London

LAMENT FOR BASSOON AND STRINGS
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Bassoon and string quartet. Composed December 1998 - February 1999. Duration: approx. 7 mins. Written for, and dedicated to, Aidan Twomey.

Performances:
1. 01:06:99 by Aidan Twomey and RIAM students and graduates at the Royal Irish Music Academy, Dublin
2. 19:03:02 by Aiden Twomey and the Emanon Quartet, The Warehouse, London

SONATINA FOR TWO RECORDERS

Two treble recorders. Composed December 1999 - March 2000. Duration: approx. 7 mins. Written for, and dedicated to, Kathryn Bennetts and Peter Bowman. 1. Allegro ma non troppo; 2. Molto lento; 3. Con moto

THREE PARAPHRASES ON HYMN TUNES BY JOHN HENRY NEWMAN

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For string quartet. Composed December 2000 - January 2001. Duration: approx. 9 mins. 1. Regina Apostolorum; 2. Regulars and St. Philip; 3. Conversion

Performances:
1. 02:05:01 by the Duke Quartet at the Newman Memorial Chamber Concert, The Oratory School

WIND QUINTET ('I to the hills will lift mine eyes...')

Composed July - August 2002 for Harlquin. Duration: approx. 7 mins.

Performances:
1. 24:01:03 by Harlequin at The Oratory School, Reading

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DAVIE GELLATLEY'S DANCE

Recorders (one player - sopranino, descant, treble, tenor) and harpsichord (or piano). Composed June - July 1994. Duration: approx. 6 minutes. Dedicated to Louise Tombleson

Performances:
1. 25:11:94 by Louise Tombleson and Elizabeth Boyle at a 'Mainly New' concert, Royal Academy of Music, London

EX URBE BRISTOLIENSE

Clarinet in Bb and piano (with additional piano on pre-recorded tape). Composed March - May 1995. Duration: approx. 14 minutes. 1. Mid-afternoon in Brighton Road; 2. Royal Fort House; 3. Leigh Woods. Dedicated to Bethan Jones

Performances:
1. 29:09:99 by Neil Greig-Smith and Nicholas O'Neill at St Bride's Church, Fleet Street, London EC4
2. 17:05:00 by Neil Greig-Smith and Nicholas O'Neill at the Holywell Music Room, Oxford

IMAGES
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Clarinet in Bb and A, piano, optional tape. Revision of Ex Urbe Bristoliense, August – October 2001. Duration: approx. 20 mins. 1. Mid-afternoon in Brighton Road ; 2a. Royal Fort House ; 2b. An Early Morning Walk; 3. Leigh Woods. Dedicated to Bethan Jones.

Performances:
1. 19: 03:02 by Bethan Jones and Charles Wiffen at The Warehouse, London

...UNTIL THE BREAKING OF THE DAY

Cello and organ. Composed May - June 1996. Duration: approx. 18 mins. Commissioned by and dedicated to Faye Clinton, with funds from the RVW Trust.

Performances:
1. 18:11:96 by Faye Clinton (cello) and Peter Wright (organ), lunchtime concert at Southwark Cathedral, London

PASTORAL

Versions for violin and piano, and flute and piano. Composed December 1997 - January 1998. Duration: approx. 4 mins.

Performances:
1. 03:98 by Peter Sheppard in the Munwha Ibo Hall, Soeul, South Korea (violin version)
2. 07:05:98 by Daniel Kessner and Dolly Eugenio Kessner at the BMIC, London (flute version)

THE MOON BY NIGHT
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Alto flute and piano. Composed November - December 2001 for, and dedicated to, Carla Rees. Duration: approx. 6 mins.

Performances:
1. 19:03:02 by Carla Rees and Charles Wiffen at The Warehouse, London
2. 16:10:02 by Carla Rees at the Djanogly Recital Hall, University of Nottingham
3. 23:10:02 by Carla Rees in Paris
4. 29:10:02 by Carla Rees at St. Cyprian's Church, Glentworth Street, London
5. 29:11:02 by Mark Underwood and Justin Connolly at The Oratory School, Reading
6. 06:08:03 by Carla Rees and Kerry Yong at Reid Hall, Bristo Square, Edinburgh
7. 30:01:05 by Carla Rees and Kerry Yong at CAMI Hall, New York City
8. 13:05:05 by Carla Rees and Kerry Yong at The Space, Isle of Dogs, London
9. 21:10:05 by Carla Rees and Kerry Yong at the Barber Institute of Fine Arts, Birmingham
10. 19:08:06 by Carla Rees at the Royal Northern College of Music, Manchester

AN EARLY MORNING WALK

Oboe and piano. Adapted 2003 from third movement of Images for clarinet and piano. Duration: approx. 5 mins.

Performances:
1. 28: 02:04 by Sylvia Harper and Mark Fielding at Portsmouth Grammar School

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FOUR PIECES FOR SOLO VIOLIN

Duration: approx 6/7 minutes. Composed March - May 1991. 1. Quasi improvisato; 2. Con molto espressione; 3. Scherzando; 4. Calmato. Dedicated to Peter Sheppard

Performances:
1. 19:09:92 by Peter Sheppard at the Royal Over-Seas League, London
2. 21:04:95 by Peter Sheppard at the Amadeus Centre, London

ETUDES EN RONDEAU

For solo violin. Composed November 1995. Duration: approx. 4 mins. Dedicated to David Penri-Evans, on his fortieth birthday

Performances:
1. 18:01:96 by Gabrielle Painter at the David Penri-Evans 40th birthday concert, British Music Information Centre, London
2. 08:03:96 by Dinos Constantinides in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, USA
3. 23:06:96 by Peter Sheppard at the Purcell Room, London

PRAYER

For solo oboe. Duration: approx 4 minutes. Composed August 2004 - February 2005. Dedicated to M. Henri Dutilleux

Performances:
1. 29:04:05 by Julian West at the Purcell Room, London
2. 01:05:05 by Julian West at Kettle's Yard, Cambridge

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PIANO SONATA

Duration: approx. 15/16 minutes. Composed August - November 1988

Performances:
1. 08:07:89 by John Longley at the PDCA Concert in the Menuhin Room, Portsmouth Central Library as part of Tempo '89
2. 08:06:95 by Philip Howard at the British Music Information Centre, London
3. 11:11:95 by Philip Howard at the Michael Nott Rotunda, Portsmouth Grammar School

NEO-BAROQUE
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For piano solo. Composed 1993. Duration: approx. 11 minutes. 1. Overture; 2. Bourree; 3. Aria; 4. Gavotte; 5. Gigue.

Performances:
1. 19:02:94 by John Thomson at Portsmouth Grammar School
2. 28:02:95 by Richard Casey at the British Music Information Centre, London

EIGHT VIGNETTES

For organ. Composed September - October 1995. Duration: approx. 15 minutes. Written for Paul Ayres, and dedicated to 'all those depicted herein'

Performances:
1. 21:01:96 by Paul Ayres at Washington National Cathedral, USA
2. 24:01:96 by Paul Ayres at St. Timothy's Anglican Church, Ridley Boulevard, North Toronto
3. 07:02:96 by Paul Ayres at McFarlin Memorial United Methodist Church, Norman, Oklahoma
4. 11:02:96 by Paul Ayres at Westminster Presbyterian Church, Oklahoma City
5. 13:02:96 by Paul Ayres at St. Andrew's Episcopal Church, Fort Worth, Texas
6. 23:02:96 by Paul Ayres at Grace Cathedral, Topeka, Kansas
7. 11:03:96 by Paul Ayres at St. Michael's, Cornhill, London EC3
8. 13:04:01 by Paul Ayres at St. Peter's Church, Ealing
9. 05:03:06 by Paul Ayres at St. George’s, Hanover Square

YET DARKER

For piano solo. Composed March-June 1999. Duration: approx. 8/9 mins. Written for, and dedicated to, Kate Ryder.

VARIATION FOR MALCOLM

Solo piano. Duration: approx. 3 minutes. Composed 2003.

Performances:
1. 07:08:03 by Robert Patten at the Canford Summer School, Dorset
2. 26:02:05 by Karen Kingsley at Portsmouth Grammar School
3. 17:09:05 by Karen Kingsley at St Leonard's Church, Shoreditch, London E1

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