Alasdair Nicolson

 

MMC Fanfare [2005] Brass Ensemble

Commissioned by MMC for the opening of Tower House by the Princess Royal. First performed in the foyers of Tower House. May 2005.

 

Slainte [2002]Brass Ensemble

Commissioned by the City of London Sinfonia. Recorded performance on Fine Brass CD of CLS Brass.

 

Orpheus Beginnings [2001]Saxophone Quartet

First performance given by Saxploitation. Exeter Cathedral August 2001.

 

Midsummer Songs [1999] Flute(Alto Flute) Violin & Gongs.

Commissioned by and first performed by Ken Aiso and Junko Chiba, Oji Hall, Tokyo, October 1999.

 

Don't Explain [1997] Oboe, Bassoon & Piano

First performed by the Derngate Ensemble, Derngate Centre, Northampton. Commissioned by Nene College, Northampton.

 

...the isle is full of noises... [1996] Guitar

Commissioned and first performed by Allan Neave at the RSAMD, Glasgow and toured subsequently throughout the UK.

 

The Stormwatchers [1996] String Quartet

(see alternative version for 2 pianos listed under KEYBOARD) First performance given by the Emperor Quartet. Commissioned for a dance work with the Andy Howitt dances by the St Magnus Festival. Subsequently turned into a ballet score for Scottish Dance Theatre on tour.

 

Squeeze [1995] Two Accordions

First performance given by James Crabb and Geir Draugsvoll at Ijsbreker, Amsterdam and broadcast live on Dutch Radio. Commissioned by James Crabb.

 

Shadows of a Desperate Journey [1995] Flute & Marimba

Commissioned and first performed by Aequitas at Blackheath Concert Halls, London. April 1995 and subsequently on a UK tour.

 

Slow Airs and March [1994] Soprano Saxophone & Piano

Commissioned and first performed by Gerard MacChrystal and Kathryn Page at the 1994 Canterbury Festival.

 

Dàn [1994] Cello & Piano

Commissioned by Oystein Birkeland.

 

Don't Explain [1994] Accordion

Commissioned and first performed by James Crabb as part of the 1994 Chester Summer Music Festival.

 

Bon Accord [1994] Quintet

First performance given by members of the Scottish Chamber Orchestra conducted by the composer. Commissioned by the Scottish Chamber Orchestra.

 

Duke [1993] Cello & Piano

First performance given by Oystein Birkeland and Joanna MacGregor in Oslo and performed subsequently on a Norwegian tour. Commissioned by Norconcert.

 

General Reid: His Dumpe [1986] Clarinet, Cello & Piano

Commissioned and first performed by the Bufano Trio at the Reid Concert Hall, Edinburgh.

PIANO                               

           

Lullabies for Madeleine [1993]Piano

Commissioned and first performed by Joanna MacGregor. BBC Studio Lunchtime Concert, Manchester December 1993.

 

Christmas Songs [1991] Piano

Commissioned and first performed by Joanna MacGregor at the BBC Concert Hall, Broadcasting House,

London, December 1991.

 

42nd Street Stomp/I'll Be Seeing You [1990] Piano

First performance given by Joanna MacGregor at the Snape Maltings Concert Hall, Aldeburgh, June 1990. Commissioned by Collins Classics Records.

 

The Clockwork Nocturnes [1989]Clavichord

Commissioned and first performed by John Cranmer, St Cecilia's Hall, Edinburgh.

 

Raintown Remembrance [1988] Piano First performance given by Joanna MacGregor. Arnolfini Theatre, Bristol, October 1988.

 

The Stormwatchers [1996] 2 Pianos

(see version for String Quartet listed above)

The Broken Symphony  [2007] Orchestra
Part One:Endless Laments  Part Two:Ghost Dances
First performance by the BBC Symphony Orchestra conducted by David Zinman Barbican, London 23rd May 2007. 
Commissioned by the BBC.


Songs and Secrets [2004] Youth Chorus and Orchestra
First performance given by the Royal Scottish National Orchestra and the RSNO Junior Chorus conducted by Christopher Bell. 
Commissioned by the RSNO for the 25th Anniversary of the RSNO Junior Chorus.


The Blue Rampart [2002] Orchestra  
First performance given by the Scottish Chamber Orchestra conducted by Jason Lai at Eden Court Theatre in Inverness, June 2002. Also programmed in a Highland Tour conducted by Christopher Bell. 
Commissioned by the Highland Festival and the Scottish Chamber Orchestra. 


dansmusik (revised version) [2001]Orchestra  
First performance given by the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra conducted by Garry Walker at Greyfriars Kirk, Edinburgh. Broadcast of BBC Radio 3’s Hear and Now. 
Commissioned by the BBC.

 
Ghosts at the Waters Edge [1999] Orchestra
First performance given by the City of London Sinfonia conducted by Marin Alsop. 
Commissioned by the City of London Sinfonia.


Stramash [1999]   String Orchestra
First performance given by the City of London Sinfonia directed by Andrew Watkinson at Sheffield Town Hall, April 1999. Commissioned by the City of London Sinfonia.


Stormwatching [1998]   String Orchestra
First performance given by the City of London Sinfonia directed by Andrew Watkinson at the Corn Exchange, Kings Lynn, April 1998. Commissioned by the City of London Sinfonia.
  

The Admiral’s Fanfare [1997] Orchestra
First performance given by the City of London Sinfonia at The Opera Theatre, Santiago, Chile. March 1997. Commissioned by the City of London Sinfonia for the British Ambassador to Chile.


Breakdance [1996]   Orchestra
First performance and pan-European broadcast given by the BBC SSOconducted by Elgar Howarth. Henry Wood Hall, Glasgow.
Commissioned by the BBC.


The Last Meeting [1995] 2 Horns, Harp and Chamber Orchestra
First performance given by the Scottish Chamber Orchestra conducted by Ivor Bolton with dancer Laurie Booth. 
Commissioned by the Scottish Chamber Orchestra for the "Glasgow Series".


Street [1995] Orchestra
First performed by the BBC SSO conducted by the composer. Commissioned by BBC TV Scotland for the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra for a television programme about composition.


Songs of the Lost [1995] Chorus and Orchestra
Text by Irina Ratushinskaya and Iain Crichton Smith.
First performance given by the Royal Scottish National Orchestra and Chorus conducted by Christopher Bell. Royal Concert Hall, Glasgow.
Commissioned by Mayfest.


Tam! [1993] Two Actors, Choir and Orchestra
First performance given by the Fife Sinfonia conducted by John Steer. Queen's Hall, Edinburgh.
Commissioned by the Arts Council in Fife.


Variation on the "Garb of Old Gaul" [1993] Chamber Orchestra
First performance given by the Scottish Chamber Orchestra conducted by Mathias Bamert. Reid Concert Hall, Edinburgh.
Commissioned by Edinburgh University to celebrate 15o years of its Music Faculty.


The Tree of Strings [1993] Large Orchestra
Winner of the 1993 IBM Young Composers Prize.
First performed given by the Royal Scottish National Orchestra conducted by David Davies.  


Banner [1992] Childrens Voices, Chorus, Wind Band & Orchestra
First performed by the SCO, the Thorn Choir, the East Glasgow Wind Band and the SCO Chorus conducted by the composer. City Hall, Glasgow.
Commissioned by the Scottish Chamber Orchestra.


rantriddlereel [1991] Chamber Orchestra
First performed by the Scottish Chamber Orchestra conducted by the composer. Duthac Centre, Tain
Commissioned by the Scottish Chamber Orchestra.


The River Sings [1987] 2 Trumpets, Percussion & String Orchestra
First performance given by the Spectrum Strings, the Scottish Chamber Orchestra. Shaun Harrold and Peter Franks(trumpet) Caroline Garden (percussion) and John Steer(conductor). Commissioned by the Scottish Chamber Orchestra.


The Rain Gathering [1986]   Solo Piano & Chamber Orchestra
First performance given by Joanna Macgregor (piano) and Edinburgh University Chamber Orchestra conducted by Christopher Bell. Reid Concert Hall, Edinburgh.
Commissioned by the Isobel Dunlop Trust.


Ordo Nocturnus [1984]   Large Orchestra
First performed by EUMS Orchestra conducted by Christopher Bell. McEwan Hall, Edinburgh.
Commissioned by Edinburgh University Music Society.