Compositions
by Dr Robert Howard
Sample Scores
| Listen to My Music
| List
of compositions |
Find Scores & Parts
I have been composing
since childhood, and have regularly accepted commissions from ensembles
and orchestras across the UK.
Sample Scores
Click on the thumbnails
to view sample pages of my scores, and use the back button on your
browser to return to this page.
Listen to My Music
These
files are in WAV format. You will need
Windows Media Player to play
them on this site, or right-click on a title and select Save Target As/Save Link
As/Save to download to your computer. For the best sound quality, you
may have to pause the track while it downloads.
The tracks
on this website are available for your own enjoyment. By downloading
tracks, you agree not to use them for any public or commercial purpose
without permission from the composer.
La
Reproduction Interdite (2002)
for solo bassoon (played by the composer)
Broadway Boogie-Woogie (2001)
for piano (played by the composer)
"In many
respects, modern art and literature interest me far more than
contemporary music. Indeed, in recent years, 20th-century art forms have
provided a vital stimulus in devising material and structure in my own
music.
"The
novels of George Orwell (Nineteen Eighty Four, Animal Farm)
and the sculpture of Barbara Hepworth (Dual Form, Single Form)
have directly influenced several parameters of my composition, as well
as providing titles for pieces. Such extra-musical reference also serve
to express socio-political statements (eg Orwell's disillusioned
socialism) and geographical location (such as the allusion to the
landscape of West Cornwall in Hepworth).
"More
recently, I have been particularly attracted to art that is itself
referential to music. The linearity of Paul Klee's paintings (Lines
on a Walk) is an obvious example. Similarly, the work of the British
sculptor Anthony Caro (Promenade) is recognised for its inherent
'musicality'.
"Broadway
Boogie-Woogie is the title of the last completed painting by Piet
Mondrian, and of my own piano piece. I have utilised Mondrian's
structure in juxtaposing contrasting 'blocks' of material while taking
the blues piano style of the boogie-woogie as a starting-point."
-
Programme note written by the composer
Music,
When Soft Voices Die (2001)
for mezzo-soprano (Monica Acosta) & piano (Howard Jones)
Music
to Hear (2003)
COMA Voices & Summer School Ensemble (conducted by Simon Foxley)
Lines
on a Walk (2001)
COMA Summer School Large Ensemble (conducted by Simon Foxley)
Promenade IV
(2000)
Forum London Composers Group Ensemble (conducted by Simon Foxley)
Ghost
(2003)
Forum Wind Quintet
Lines
on a Walk II (2001)
IXION (conducted by Michael Finnissy)
Like
Clockwork (2003)
Knowsley Youth Orchestra (conducted by Simon Gay)
Click here to read more about Like Clockwork and the
process of composing for a youth orchestra
The
Island (2003)
Northern Sinfonia (conducted by Baldur Bronnimann)
The
Stations of the Cross - excerpt (2003)
Fourth Dimension (string quartet)
List of Compositions
Orchestral Works
Festival Suite (2006-7) - in four movements for the Third Prescot
Festival and Association of British Youth Orchestras, for Knowsley Youth
Orchestra
Festive
Fanfare (2005) - for the First Prescot Festival of Music & the Arts
Wesleyan Overture (2004) - for Knowsley Youth Orchestra
Like
Clockwork (2003) - commissioned by Knowsley Youth Orchestra for
Prescot town
The
Lantern Tower (2001-2) - for Kingston Chamber Orchestra, after John
Piper
Promenade (2000) - SPNM-shortlisted. For the Goldsmiths Sinfonia,
after Anthony Caro
The
Island (1999) - SPNM-shortlisted. For the Northern Sinfonia,
performed by various
In
Memoriam B.H. (1997) - for the Birmingham University Chamber
Orchestra, for Bob Howard
Archforms (1996) - for Wirral Youth Orchestra
Procession (1995) - for Wirral Youth Orchestra
Flexibly Scored Works (all for COMA ensembles, all in 4 parts unless
otherwise stated)
Fantasy
on Anna's Theme (2006) - for the Second Prescot Festival, after John
Corigliano
Three-Way Piece (2005) - after Henry Moore
Carousel (2004) - in up to 7 parts
Music
to Hear (SATB) - a COMA collaboration with visual artist Kathy Hinde,
celebrating the centenary of Hepworth's birth and performed in Yorkshire
Sculpture Park
Ghost
(2002) - commissioned by COMA, after Ron Mueck
Lines
on a Walk (2001) - in 15 parts, after Paul Klee
Promenade III (2003) - in 15 parts, after Anthony Caro
Promenade IV (2000) - published by Forum London Composers' Group (ReSound
Pack)
Choral
& Vocal Works
Timanfaya (2005) - open score piece, for COMA Voices
From
Paradise Lost (2004) - graphic score, for COMA Voices
Music
to Hear (2003) - SATB (with optional 4-part instrumental doublings),
for COMA
A Babe
Is Born (2002) - Christmas carol for choir and organ/piano or
orchestra
Music,
When Soft Voices Die (2001) - for Monica Acosta (mezzo-soprano and
piano)
Piano
Works (mostly for Claire Capps)
Piano
Piece (2009) - for Mensa
Niarbyl
(2008)
Harmony
(2007) - for David Kernick
Lullaby
(2006) - for Joanne Travis
Meditation for Sarah (2005)
Streight Lines (2004) - graphic score, for Rolf Hind
Still
(2001) - after Anthony Gormley
Broadway Boogie-Woogie (2000) - after Piet Mondrian
Six of
One (1999) - in six short movements
Prelude
to 1984 (1999) - after George Orwell
Mirror
Image (1998) - in 3 movements: Recollections, Reflections, From A to
Z
String
Quartet
The
Stations of the Cross (2002-3) - for the Kreuzer Quartet, after
Barnett Newman
Ghost
(20020), Promenade IV (2000) & other flexibly scored pieces
String
Quartet No. 1 (1999) - for Goldsmiths College New Music Ensemble
String
Quartet Movement (1996)
Chamber
& Solo Works
La
Reproduction Interdite (2002) - for solo bassoon, after Rene
Magritte
Lines
on a Walk II (2001) - for flute, clarinet, piano, percussion, violin
& cello, after Paul Klee
Dual
Form (2000) - for clarinet & cello, after Barbara Hepworth
Promenade V (2000) - for oboist Paul Burnell
Family
of Man (1999) - for flute, clarinet, piano, violin & cello (Gemini),
after Barbara Hepworth
Pied
Piper (1999) - commissioned by oboist Maria Thomas
Prelude
to Animal Farm (1998) - for Goldsmiths College New Music Ensemble,
after Orwell
Chamber
Concerto (1998) - for sinfonietta, for Birmingham University New
Music Ensemble
Find Scores & Parts for Robert Howard's Music
Robert's
music was previously published by Incalcando (Goldsmiths College), but
are now available directly from the composer (see
Contact).
Many
compositions, especially flexibly scored, are available through the COMA
Music Library's
online catalogue.
Please
inform the composer of any performances.
