Two New Concertos

In the last year Philip has composed a Trumpet Concerto and a Trombone Concerto.

Both of these have already created much interest, and plans for a performance of the Trumpet Concerto are already underway.

Philip said: “Both pieces offer a real technical challenge to the soloists, but at the same time present a tuneful and accessible style for an audience.”

Although the music world is rich in music for trumpet, the trombone repertoire is not so well catered for, so Philip’s addition has been warmly welcomed by those in the trombone fraternity.

Beyond Green Gables

Philip has recently composed a suite entitled Beyond Green Gables, based on three poems by Canadian author and poet Lucy Maud Montgomery. She is best known for her 1908 novel Anne of Green Gables (published as L.M. Montgomery).

Written for all ages, it has been considered a classic children’s novel since the mid-20th Century. Montgomery went on to publish 20 novels as well as 530 short stories, 500 poems and 30 essays.

The Lucy Maud Montgomery Society of Canada is aware of Philip’s composition and excited to know of its existence. It is currently in contact with the composer and actively working towards a performance, just as soon as an appropriate time can be arranged.

Philip’s suite, originally composed for piano, has now been arranged for orchestra, thereby giving an alternative option for performance. The three movements are:

1. On the Hills
2. An Autumn Evening
3. Echo Dell

Listen to the second movement of the suite, An Autumn Evening, here:

Three Song Settings Recorded At Steventon

Three song settings of Philip’s, all based on poems, were recently recorded at St. Nicholas Church, in Steventon in Hampshire, UK (the birthplace of iconic novelist Jane Austen) on 16 June 2018.

After The Winter is by Claude McKay, Moment Musicale by Bliss Carman and The First Day by Christina Rossetti.

Soprano was Theresa Lunn, accompanied on the piano by Paul Wright, who also recorded the session. Philip, Theresa and Paul have worked together before, and Philip described it as ‘an enjoyable morning’s recording’ with two very talented collaborators.

You can listen to all three songs here:

Buckingham Palace Performances

Philip recently had the great honour of having one of his musical compositions performed at the Queen’s London residence of Buckingham Palace.

Capriccio for String Orchestra was performed on two successive weeks by the Countess of Wessex String Orchestra as part of a concert given preceding investiture ceremonies in May. These included Sir Paul McCartney and Dame Darcey Bussell being honoured by Her Majesty.

The orchestra was conducted by its principal musical director Major David Hammond, who also oversaw a further performance of the same work at a concert in the Guards’ Chapel, Wellington Barracks, London on Tuesday 22 May.

Chawton House Performance For Jane Austen Suite

After a fitting and highly significant performance in the author’s birthplace of Steventon in June 2017, Philip’s Jane Austen Suite was enjoyed again at another venue strongly connected with her.

The concert was repeated by the same excellent performers at Chawton House Library in Hampshire, UK, on Saturday 7 October 2017.

The House was owned by Jane’s brother Edward and is now dedicated to the ‘research and understanding of early women writers’.