Further information about the hire or purchase of these works can be obtained by email: jk_mccarthyuk@yahoo.co.uk 

Opera

Between Two Silences - Chamber Opera for three Sopranos, four Cellos and Piano (click on Between Two Silences tab for further details)

Threat Level - Chamber Opera for 6 Soloists and Orchestra

Commissioned by Scottish Opera as part of the Five:15 project. Due to premiere in Glasgow and Edinburgh, Scotland, in February 2009.

Libretto by Carol S. Lashof


Orchestral

Sueno's Stone - for Solo Piano and Orchestra (duration: 8 minutes)

Programme Note: Sueno’s Stone is the tallest and most complex piece of early medieval sculpture in Scotland. On the east side of the stone there are carvings of soldiers and various bloody scenes of war. On the west side is a delicate and elaborate ring-headed cross. The thunderous opening of this piece is an evocation not only of the battles depicted on the stone, but also of the brute force that was required to fashion the stone itself. The lyrical gestures and tranquility of the central section of the piece are a depiction of the ring-headed cross, which acts as a lasting memorial to the dead soldiers. But we have not yet escaped the brutality of war, and the cataclysmic music of the opening returns with even more force and drags us back into a ferocious final battle.

CHASM - a dance for orchestra (duration: 10 minutes)

CHASM exists in two slightly different versions. The first version (from 2007) features an electric bass guitar amongst the orchestral forces, and the second version (from 2008) is for a standard symphony orchestra. Both versions are yet to be premiered and are available to hire, please contact me for further details.


Chamber / Solo Instrumental

Lament - for String Quartet (duration: 7 minutes, 30 seconds)

Lament - revised version for String Orchestra (duration: 7 minutes)

Ballindalloch - for solo Clarsach (duration: 4 minutes, 40 seconds)
Commissioned by William Taylor. This score is available to buy at scotchsnap.com

You - for Piano and String Orchestra (duration: 4 minutes)

Randolph's Leap - for Piano and String Orchestra (duration: c.4 minutes)

Hushed Deep - for violin and piano


 Vocal / Choral

From the Song of Solomon - for three Sopranos, Mezzo-soprano and Clarsach (duration: 4 minutes)

The first performance was given by Canty (with Bill Taylor on Clarsach) at Greyfriars Kirk, Edinburgh, on 22 February 2007. Subsequent performances were given by the same ensemble at St Mary’s RC Cathedral, Aberdeen, on 23 February; St Salvator’s Chapel, St Andrews University, on 24 February; St Andrews in the Square, Glasgow, on 25 February 2007.

Programme Note: From the Song of Solomon (2007) is a setting of Chapter 2, Verses 10-13 of “The Song of Solomon”. Although this particular text has been subjected to countless allegorical interpretations throughout its history (most pertinently that of the relationship of the Virgin Mary to God, a reading which was particularly prevalent in the medieval church), I wanted my setting of these verses to reflect the unusual and disarmingly romantic simplicity of the text. “Rise up, my love, my fair one, and come away”. A heartfelt plea, but not a desperate or anxious one, rather a gentle awakening of one’s beloved from a deep and peaceful sleep. From the Song of Solomon was composed for, and is dedicated to, Canty.

Parting - for soprano and piano (duration: 3 minutes)
Commissioned by TangoDuo (Monica Acosta and Julia Kalnobricka). First performance: 13th February, 2008, Burgh House, Hampstead, London, England. Subsequent performance by Gordonstoun Senior Girls' Choir at Gordonstoun School, Scotland, on 28th February 2008.

Earth - for children's choir (duration: 4 minutes)
Earth is dedicated to the Aberlour House Senior Choir.
The first performance was given by the Aberlour House Senior Choir in the Chapel at Gordonstoun School, Scotland, on 23rd November, 2007. Vocal scores are available to purchase at £1.50 per copy. Click here to view the first page as a PDF: http://www.jamesmccarthy.co.uk/userimages/Earth.pdf

 I shall never fear - for children's choir (duration: 3 minutes 30 seconds)
I shall never fear is dedicated to Charlotte Rombout.
Vocal scores are available to purchase at £1.50 per copy. Click here to view the first page as a PDF: http://www.jamesmccarthy.co.uk/userimages/Neverfear.pdf
 


 Music Theatre

Persephone Underground - a musical play by
Carol S. Lashof.

Featuring incidental music for piano and string quartet by James McCarthy