Orchestra 9-13

SoSSAATTBBGbGbGbCbCb opt subCb subsubCb. Written for a joint performance by the Scottish Recorder Orchestra and The Dortmund Recorder Consort. This makes a very large ensemble, exceptionally well endowed with large basses, hence the somewhat bizarre instrumentation. The piece uses a small number of blues-like short themes which keep reappearing over the 10 minute duration, in different combinations, sometimes slightly modified. The overall effect is often rather complex, but the individual parts are no more than moderately difficult.

10 SoSAATTBBGbCb. Four short mediaeval pieces. These are essentially melodies over a drone, but the range and dynamic variation of a recorder orchestra is exploited to produce exciting music which is quite easy to play, apart from the occasional hint of virtuosity from the higher instruments.

Orch SoSSAATTBBGbCb. Good humoured music that pictures country dancing beside a river, with the occasional train passing in the distance. Originally written for the unusual combination of DDTrTB, violin and cello, to play at the annual Charlbury Festival, but works equally well for recorder orchestra, where it would make a bright start to a programme. The original version is still available (MHE 20404)

Orch SoSAATTBBGbCb. This piece uses some of the conventions of jazz and rock music, in that basically it has a tune at either end, framing 'feature' sections for each part of the orchestra. Yes, even the great basses and contrabasses! Designed to allow each section of the orchestra to show what they can do, it is quite difficult, but makes a stirring programme opener.

Orch: A & cello solos, SAATTBGbCb. Little Suite was written for the musical couple Dick and Carolyn Little, a recorder player and cellist respectively. The piece takes the form of a short (7 minute) three-movement suite, with no gap between the movements. The same musical ideas appear in all movements, in different guises. The solo parts are of moderate difficulty, but the accompanying parts are reasonably straightforward. Little Suite is also available in a version (MHE 21006a) where a tenor recorder is substituted for the cello - it sounds very different, but still works well.

Orch: A & T solos, SAATTBGbCb

6 SATBGbCb

Orch: 3 TTB and ensemble 6 SAATTB. Steve says: 'I'm always keen to provide music for players who are short of repertoire. This rather unconventional Concerto Grosso is for a solo trio together with a recorder ensemble. However, the solo trio I've chosen is two tenors and a bass, which gives a rare soloing opportunity for players of those instruments who ordinarily spend their time doing sterling stuff providing support for the higher instruments. The difficulty is no more than moderate for all parts, including the soloists.'

11 SoSSAATTBBGbCb. This piece was written for the U3A recorder orchestra in Canberra. As with most pieces with 'Fantasy' in the title, this one uses just a few musical ideas which are combined in various ways as the piece progresses. Most parts have quite a restricted range of notes, and in fact descant 2 and treble 2 stay within the lowest register throughout the piece. Total playing time is about 5 minutes.

1 So 1 S + SoSSAATTBBGbCb.Steve says: ' This piece was written as an encore for a joint concert in Germany by the Scottish Recorder Orchestra and the Dortmund Recorder Consort. The circumstance of the composition was a bit unusual. I received an email from Eileen Silcocks Friday lunchtime, and if I decided to write a piece it had to be with them the next morning to start rehearsal, in time for the concert on Sunday afternoon. I emailed the score and parts over late on Friday night, and I believe the concert and the piece went well. Naturally I'd prefer it if this short fun piece is seen as a useful encore for recorder orchestras, rather than as a bizarre party trick! Not difficult, although the soloists will need to be good.'

Orch SoSSAATTBBGbCb. Steve has been involved for some time with a project to bring the pleasures of the recorder orchestra to players who are technically not very strong. There is little music suitable for such groups, and this easy arrangement of a 14th Century French tune is one attempt at starting to fill that gap. This 5 minute piece makes no great attempt at authenticity, but freely uses some elements of the period - bare harmonies and occasional violent clashes - hopefully to dramatic effect. Also available for sextet (MHE20108a).

Orch: 1 S + SAATTBGbCb. A larger-group arrangement of Sleazy Blues from Three Recorder Blues (MHE 90303]. Nothing too frightening, although these pieces will not succeed without accurate rhythm playing, so some work may be called for!