Past Commissions


Ian Vine, 2003
The first performance of Ian Vine's broken colour was on the 28th October 2003 at Turner Sims Concert Hall, Southampton, UK. This work is scored for wind quartet and percussion.

To find out more, visit www.ianvine

Tansy Davies, 2003
Following the success of our earlier commission Pinnacles in 1998 (FMRCD128),  we approached Tansy to write for our larger ensemble.  Fern was first performed at Blackheath Concert Halls in March 2003, and recorded for an Autumn release 2003 for FMR records (FMRCD135). For more information on Tansy Davies' work, visit www.bmic.co.uk

Gareth BradyGareth Brady ~ Skara Brae, 2002
This commission is based on two Bulgarian folk songs, a lament and a wild dance. We commissioned it for our March 2002 Scottish tour.  This was revised in 2003 for septet and is one of the works released on our disc, Untold.


Jane GardnerJane Gardner ~ Ne Sa Ma, 2002
The piece is dedicated to and inspired by the work of Israeli-American artist, Jacques Marzan. To see more of his work click here

The Hebrew word NE SA MA, pronounced "Ney Sha Mah", in Cabala (Jewish mysticism) is related to the deepest layers of the spirit. The root of the word, N-S-M stands for breathing, and is in tangent to SA-HA-F, to inhale - of course the reverse of exhale -together which form the eternal cycle of transformation and creation.

Quintessence gave the world première performance on March 8th 2002 The Lemon Tree, Aberdeen, Scotland followed by five subsequent performances in Scotland. To explore or purchase this work on line visit www.sibeliusmusic.com

To find our more about Jane Gardner's work visit www.janegardner.net


Joe DuddellJoe Duddell ~ Endgame, 2001
We commissioned Joe to write this piece for us in 2001. As the title suggests, a play on words, and as Joe mentioned to us, perhaps a piece to end an era. It was his final commission before taking the post as Lecturer in Composition at Exeter University.
First Performance The Dulwich Picture Gallery, London, UK September 27th 2001

This is one of the works on the disc Untold.
Visit his webpage


Mike WestbrookMike Westbrook ~ Classical Blues, 2001
This was commissioned in 2001 with the generous support of The Lady Digby . Here Westbrook uses the contra bassoon with the bass clarinet much like a jazz bass line.
First Performed The Summer Music Society of Dorset June 16th 2001.
Supported by the Performing Rights Society
Visit www.westbrookjazz.co.uk


Philip CashianPhilip Cashian ~ among the bleached stars and suns, 2000 (revised 2001)
Having played and loved Cashian's earlier work for wind quintet, Silent Steps, (Commissioned by the Haffner wind quintet) we decided to commission a second quintet, this time with bass flute.. The horn remains unseen throughout, (behind the audience in our first performance), the flute stands to one side and the reed trio remain as a strong team in the centre.

Performance diagram for Philip Cashian "Among the bleached suns and stars"

First performance 22nd July 2000 Christ Church, Harrogate for the Harrogate International Festival, supported by Yorkshire Arts
So see a review of this performance click here

Recorded on our disc Untold
Visit www.bmic.co.uk/newvoices

Tansy DaviesTansy Davies ~ Pinnacles, 1998
This was our first ever commission. Tansy's inspiration stemmed from her time in the Pinnacles Desert in Western Australia. The opening begins with the wind blowing the yellow sand across the desert. The slow movement uses the oboe melody to represent the plants growing from the ground, the bassoon its roots, and the added colour of the piccolo, representing raindrops descending earthward. The final movement is jagged and chaotic, each solo line is eroded, leaving awkward sections, reminiscent of the strange, stark shapes which are left standing in the desert. To purchase the world premiere recording of this work on our CD disc one, visit www.classicalrecording.com/
To listen to a sample click here:
First Performance January 17th 1998 Droitwich Concert Club
For more information on Tansy Davies visit www.bmic.co.uk/newvoices

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