Solo Piano
The Seasons of St Mark: Summer (2021) 5:30
The opening words of the Gospel of St Mark: “The beginning of the gospel about Jesus Christ, the Son of God”. If this is the beginning, what has just ended? To where is the gospel setting off? The prophets, the “sons of thunder”, have an elemental character that resonates with summer. John baptizes Jesus, the heavens are torn open and the spirit descends upon Jesus like a dove.
Summer brings huge skies, long days and birds soar through the expansive skies. The sea is vital and seems almost to talk. There are jumps from cold to hot weather, from airiness to fieriness. Time is experienced cinematically in summer.
The Seasons of St Mark: Autumn (2021) 3:15
After the peaceful equinox, autumn brings expectancy in the morning, ripe afternoons, gold-tinged clouds and sudden sunsets. The days are balanced.
In Australia it is the time of the Easter. The Gospel of St Mark says “And he began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer much and be rejected by the elders and the chief priests and the scribes; and that he would undergo death and after three days be raised”. A young person is observed near Christ: “there was a youth who was following him closely, who wore a fine linen garment over his bare body, and they seized him. But he let go of the linen garment and fled naked”. There is the mystery of the transfiguration of Christ.
The Seasons of St Mark: Winter (2021) 4:00
The Holy Spirit brought a mighty wind and leaping tongues of fire. The disciples were on their own. I considered esoteric teachings about the spiritual origin of air. When spirits of Time were newly born, spirits of Wisdom responded by giving grace and virtue to the new world. Later, this became air.
The Seasons of St Mark: Spring (2021) 2:30
In spring, tiny pardelots with dotted wings return to my garden to nest. They dance on the windowsills to announce their arrival, and follow me from room to room. The youthful spirit that appeared near Christ travels through the world. I considered the heartfelt warmth that pervades the air in spring. In Australian spring, we begin to open our hearts and our feelings are enlivened.
The Seasons of St Mark was composed at the request of Michael Kieran Harvey during the seasons of 2020.
Wave to the Depths I (2003) 12:17
Mythological aspects on the origin and the forming power of water are explored in Wave to the Depths. Here it is Christ, the spirit who ‘moved over the face of the waters’, and was later incarnated as a man on earth. When he was crucified, his drops of blood fell on the ground and his spirit united with the earth until its end.
The spiritual movement was echoed in evaporation and precipitation into mist, rain, oceans, rivers, lakes and seas.
Wave to the Depths was commissioned by Michael Kieran Harvey through Arts Victoria
Wave to the Depths II (2003) 6:00
In a creation time, spirits of Will were enraptured by the Cherubim, the spirits of harmony. They offered up their substance of courage as a gift and a sacrifice. wHen this was accepted, spirits of Time were born. But some Cherubim chose eternity. They rejected the gift, which began to build up and up and to fall away. Later in the material world, this became water.
Wave to the Depths was commissioned by Michael Kieran Harvey through Arts Victoria.
Gabriel’s Song (2021) 3:30
The archangel Gabriel appeared to Mary: “The angel went to her and said, “Greetings, you who are highly favoured! The Lord is with you” (Gospel of St Luke, 1:26)
From a Star Afar (2019) 1:30
I imagined at the earth from a distant star in antiquity. The years flew past. Then the blood of Christ fell into the earth’s soil. At that moment, the earth began to become a star
Trumpet and Piano
Winter Persephone (2021) 3:32
This piece responds to the Greek myth about Persephone. Zeus, who ruled the Heavens, Poseidon, who ruled the Seas, and Hades who ruled the Underworld and the souls of the Dead were the Titan brothers. Zeus and Demeter’s daughter was Persephone. Hades conspired with Zeus to abduct Persephone and take her to the Underworld. Demeter was grief-stricken, and caused many years of famine on earth. This prompted Zeus and Hades to allow Persephone to return to her mother. Before she returned, Persephone was by offered a single pomegranate seed by Hades. Eating this condemned her to return to the Underworld each year in winter. The leaves and blossoms that burst forth each spring, show that Persephone is returning to the Earth to be with her mother Demeter.
Composed for Tristram Williams and Michael Kieran Harvey
Deep in Summer (2016) 2:45
What I love about the trumpet is its warm and sensuous tone, its spirited character and its way of really connecting with human emotions, especially happiness. I hope that some of these qualities made their way into Deep in Summer that was composed for Sydney trumpeter Paul Goodchild. The music is about questing and a search for love.
French Horn and Piano
Come With Me To Crystal Creek (2020) 5:00
Melting snow in spring brings fresh water into creeks and rivers as a lively battle between warmth and cold takes place in the air. I considered the relation between Buddha and Christ, the before and after of their time on earth, and what might come in the future. Around my home were new green eucalyptus leaves, and as the season progressed, enchanting roses everywhere. Hope seemed to be a new element that joined the natural ones.
Piano and Harp
Marie Claude (2022) 2:15
Marie Claude is about faith and trust. It is named in recognition of a wonderful Chilean woman who inspires faith and trust in her friends. Composed for Australian harpist Jacinta Dennett.
Melchior (2023) 2:00
Melchior is about love. It is named in recognition of Melchior, a friend who is loving in everything that he does. Composed for Australian harpist Jacinta Dennett.
Marita (2023) 2:00
Marita is about hope. It is named after lovely Marita, a friend who works helping others over difficult times, and who brings brightness and hope as she does so. Composed for Australian harpist Jacinta Dennett.
Piano and Percussion
The Memory of the Glance of God (2003) 12:00
“We walked with no companions and no sounds” (Dante, The Inferno)
The theme of this work is initiation; the act of going into new psychological territory that is illuminating and transforming. In earlier times, initiations occurred as rituals. Australian Aboriginal initiations involve being taken by fellow tribesmen through a rite of passage of trials that are strengthening and being given tribal knowledge.
Initiations in modern life may accompany everyday life. Over a period of time, one may have inner experiences that transform and bring new understanding of life… if one is willing to cross the threshold…
The Memory of the Glance of God was composed for Peter Neville and Barrie Webb in 2003.
Piano and Violin
Dynamis (1998)
Dynamis are spirits who bring movement into the universe. Composed for Australian violinist Tim Veldman
Dynamis I Maestoso con Vaghezza 5:49
Dynamis II Slancia Vivace 3:09
Dynamis III Scherzando 3:29