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Michael Dawney

List of Compositions

This is a sparkling and refreshing interworking, of familiar carols (a sort of sophisticated potpourri) in a slightly astringent modern style where the tunes are combined in often unexpected counterpoints.  This would be a superb piece to end a carol service where the congregation is taking 5-6 minutes to go out, or for a seasonal recital.  It is not overly difficult but you won’t do it justice if you try to sight-read it.

These pieces are in a moderately challenging tonal idiom that may make them unsuitable for use at some services.  This is good stuff for a more discerning audience though.

The composer’s note reads (in part): ‘The childlike innocence, humour and fun of the tune greatly appealed to me,....I have tried to reflect these attributes in my piece. You will notice topsy-turvydom in the tune, sometimes upside down, like children doing handstands. And you will hear the Westminster Chimes and ‘London Bridge is falling down’. This piece would make a charming conclusion to a recital.

Michael’s offering in September 2007 ‘A Celebration of Christmas’ proved very popular and here is a similar sparkling and refreshing reworking, of familiar carols (a sort of sophisticated potpourri) in a slightly astringent, possibly Hindemithian, style.  As with its companion piece this would be a superb way to end a carol service where the congregation is taking 5-6 minutes to go out, or for a seasonal recital.  It is not overly difficult but it would need work.

Part of the composer’s note reads: “This Fantazia is based on the hymn ‘Praise to the holiest in the height’ to the tune ‘Richmond’;  it also quotes two themes by Richard from his 8 Pieces for clarinet and piano 1961.  I discovered that in the 3rd of these pieces (Theme and Waltz Variation) the waltz has notes identical to the 3rd line of ‘Richmond’”.

 The late Richard Arnell was a close friend of Michael’s and this friendship finds expression in this both touching and whimsical piece.  It is not difficult but nonetheless it would be more suitable for a recital since it would probably mystify a congregation if it were used as a voluntary without further explanation.

This charming piece is based on the Praetorius tune we use for ‘ A great and mighty wonder’. It gains its + in the difficulty assessment simply because the music is expressed in Michael’s gently astringent contemporary idiom. It could also be used in a Christmas recital.

This is an interesting and by turns both a triumphant and poetic exploration of a tune which was probably written in 1415 to commemorate the English victory at the Battle of Agincourt. The forthright tune may be familiar to many from the splendid music William Walton wrote for the film Henry V in 1944. This piece would serve as a closing voluntary for around April 23 (St George’s Day) or as a recital piece.

Last updated: 02 Mar 2011