Shadow of Paradise was written specially for Melinda Maxwell. The work was completed in 2005 the same year that she recorded the work together with Richard Benjafield (percussion) for the Dutton label.'The work is based on the poem by Samuel Taylor Coleridge Kubla Khan and I have attempted to capture some of the spirit of his highly evocative text in my music.It is structured in three main sections: the opening section (And ‘mid this tumult Kubla heard from far Ancestral voices prophesying war) is dramatic in nature with the oboe announcing two ideas - the first a high repeated note rhythmic pattern (later with multiphonics) answered by six differentlypitched drums and temple blocks and the second a short lyrical phrase mainly built on thirds.In the second section (A damsel with a dulcimer In a vision once I saw…Could I revive within me Her symphony and song) the solo oboe transforms the repeated notes and thirds of the first section into a love song underpinned by the percussionist’s vibraphone and crotales.A short reprise of the very opening leads into the final section (Beware! Beware! His flashing eyes his floating hair! Weave a circle round him thrice…) which mirrors the text with three short dances in chain form folk-like in character and increasingly climactic. A final reprise of the opening seems to suggest a violent end but the oboe’s echo of the love song answered by the percussionist’s crotales brings the work to a gentler conclusion.'            Edward Gregson - December 2011Instrumentation:Solo oboeSolo percussion (6 temple blocks 2 bongos 4 tom-toms vibraphone crotales 2 tambourines)

Return To Avalon is scored for two flutes one doubling Piccolo the other doubling Alto Flute.In the mid-thirteenth century over 200 000 Cathars were murdered in the South of France 'Avalon' by forces of darkness and ignorance. The Cathars were European Buddhists who believed in loving each other that we are all equal in the eyes of God non-revenge vegetarianism and that women could be priests. They also believed in reincarnation.In answer to threats and bullying many of them chose to be burnt alive rather than be forced to follow teachings they believed to be untrue.People say that the Cathars never came back. People saythat they died in vain. But I believe that they are wrong I believe that the Cathars did come back to create a Church of light outside the constricts of religion but through the arts through music poetry and prose.'Return to Avalon' is the story of two great Cathar flute players who rise from the ashes of the Montsegur massacre to return and baptize the world into the truth of the eternal through the beauty of sound and honesty of expression. I imagined these 'Sons of the light ' playing this piece and letting its message of friendship and brotherhood echo out over the mountains.'Return to Avalon' begins with 'The Last Song' a 13th century Cathar melody echoed on alto flute then explores an idea I first used in my 1993 flute concerto the idea of orchestrated digital delay.The second movement 'Human flame' on piccolo and alto is also based on a medieval theme but takes it further and further out until finally it burns up into a huge fireball.In the third movement 'Sons of the light return to Avalon' the two flutes reappear Phoenix-like from the ashes leading and learning from each other. Eventually the flutes become inseparable as they interweave together at speed leading us to a higher truth that we are all brothers and sisters equally loved by God.Phenomenal flautist Samuel

From Four Prayers from the High Holyday Liturgy-Four Prayers from the High Holyday Liturgy.I. Hayom Harat Olam (11908)II. Ayl Melech Yoshayv (11909)III. Uv'shofar Gadol (11910)IV. Avinu Malkaynu Chanayno (11911)Hinay Yom Hadin (Behold The Day Of Judgement) is a suite of four choruses comprising settings of some of the most important prayers of the Jewish High Holyday Liturgy. These may be performed together or seperately in concert or if desired at the appropriate Service in a Temple or Synagogue.The holy season of the Jewish religious calender is unique because it does not celebrate a historical event nor any particular famous personage but is set aside as a period ofself-examination and re-evaluation for each individual believer. Legend tells on Rosh Hashana (the New Year) God opens the books which record all men's deeds and for ten days examines the course of every man's life during the past year. On Yom Kippur (the Day of Atonement) the books are closed and each man's fate is sealed until the next year. This allegorical vision should inspire every individual to scrutinize his life and resolve to better himself. The Jew firmly believes that God wants the repentance of the sinner so that he may live; therefore he believes that by penitence prayer and good deeds God's judgement can be swayed in his favour and he be inscribed in 'the book of life.'The four prayers were commissioned by Hazzan Samuel Rosenbaum and the Sisterhood of Temple Beth El Rochester New York.Hayom Harat Olam is for SATB choir a cappella with Tenor soloist.

Tears Of Hope que l'on pourrait traduire par 'Les Larmes de l'Espoir' compile les partitions pour Piano Solo de 32 morceaux parfaitement adaptés lors d'évenements solennels (mariage, funérailles, messe de souvenir ...). / Classique / Partition /