Vocal, choral and instrumental compositions
The Auburn setting (Holy communion/Eucharist) for A Prayer Book for Australia or any Anglican/Episcopalian or similar service for upper voices (boys and/or women unison, SAA, SSAAA) (2004)
Sacred songs – 4 songs for soprano (D4-A5) or mezzo-soprano (C4-G5) unaccompanied to texts by Anon, Phineas Fletcher and Edmund Spenser (1995-2002).
The pilgrim’s song for unison choir and organ to a text by John Bunyan (2009).
I adapted the original poem (in which case the title should probably be The pilgrims’ song), but have included both to give the choice. The hymn version (He who would valiant be) can also be used.
Old violin – 5 songs for mezzo-soprano (range A3-G5 and violin to texts by John Shaw Nielson (2002).
John Shaw Neilson (1874-1942) was an Australian poet whose themes centre on the beauty and spirituality of nature, the joy of human love and the anguish of human separation and loss.
Korean eucharist (감사성찬례) for choir (with soprano soloist) and organ (2007-2015). When I lived in South Korea, I attended the Korean Anglican church (대한성공회). Its prayer book has a small number of congregational and small choir settings, and there are larger settings which the choir of Seoul Cathedral sang. I wrote a small choir setting but couldn’t gain the interest of the organist/choir director of the parish I was attending.
Song be delicate – five songs for baritone (range A2-Eb4) and piano (2001).
John Shaw Neilson (1874-1942) was an Australian poet whose themes centre on the beauty and spirituality of nature, the joy of human love and the anguish of human separation and loss.
Two unrelated pieces for piano (1996 and 2007) which nonetheless fit together in a mini-set. Even though piano was my first and major instrument, I have written very little piano music. Maybe because it was … Published by Wirripang Music in 2023.
Classical variations meets 12-bar blues in an exhilarating ride. The title and a hint of the mood come from the poem The gentle water bird by John Shaw Neilson.
The title and a hint of the mood come from the poem The gentle water bird by John Shaw Neilson.
Worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness for choir and organ (2006). This very flexible arrangement can be sung by a vocal soloist or unison, 2-, 3- or 4-part choir, with organ or piano and optional treble and bass instruments. Any translation of the words with that meter (eg Korean) can be used. First performed by the singers of the English-speaking congregration of Seoul Anglican cathedral in 2008.
The raven for baritone (A2-F4) and piano with optional cello and percussion (tubular bells and wood block) (2004) to the poem by Edgar Allan Poe. This work was published by Wirripang Pty Ltd in 2024.
The narrator, the narrator’s self-quoted words and the raven can be sung by different singers. This song can be sung in conjunction with any or all of … it tolls for thee.
… it tolls for thee for baritone (Bb2 – F4) and piano (2004-2020) is a continuous cycle of songs to bell-themed texts by John Donne, Alfred Lord Tennyson, Edgar Allan Poe and Christopher J Brennan. This work was published by Wirripang Pty Ltd in 2024.
Individual songs and some pairs or groups can be sung separately, or followed by The raven.
David Morris Composer