Original Solo Piano Composition.

Composed in late 2014 and my first ever recorded solo piano compositions. 

Evasion:

Have you ever found yourself avoiding something or someone? This piece represents a journey we go through and that I have gone through myself battling with my own mind.  Straying from people you want to speak to but feel you can't, procrastinating at times when it is least needed. 

This piece is about sometimes overcoming this. It builds from the start. It describes a person braving and striving, working hard to do and see the things and people they love, and how sometimes you always seem to be back at square one 'evading' again.

Interpret this as you wish. Enjoy.


Xander Benham.

Evasion

Original Solo Piano Composition.

Composed in April 2015.

F#AC#E:

The title of this piece is also an image. The word face is distorted by the sharps. The letters also represent certain notes that are depicted in a particular chord played rapidly towards the end of the piece. However these notes are lost well within many other notes in the chord. 

This piece is about being lost in a world full of people. It is about wishing and hoping to arrive at the forefront of life, however there are too many people trying to get to the same place or people as you are. 

The piece describes the struggles I have gone through and I still go through in order to attempt to make myself heard and 'stand out from the crowd'. I am hoping you can relate to this. The piece is frustrated and this can be heard as I punch a Bb around a minute into the piece. It is also choleric and melancholy, with glimmers of brightness and hope in the right hand melodies.

Interpret this as you wish. Enjoy.

Xander Benham.

F#AC#E

Original Composition for SATB Choir ensemble

Composed in January 2016.

A Neo-classical/baroque composition in style and form. The lyrics are based on a poem by Stéphane Mallarmé who also influenced many composers including Claude Debussy. Some of the poetry is in original French but mostly English translation.

The music and poetry tells the story of a young couple broken apart. One living in England and the other across the channel in France. Their is also a language barrier. They write letters to each other, depicted in the poetry, about how full their love is for one another. This leads into a counterpoint, written by the Englishman for the Frenchwoman, as an act of love for her. We are left wondering if they will ever meet.

Interpret this as you wish. Enjoy.

Xander Benham.

'O so dear' and Counterpoint in Db major

Original Composition for Septet.

Completed in January 2016. Composed for piano, flute/piccolo, clarinet, trumpet, violin, viola and violoncello.

Piano Septet in Bb minor 1st movement:

An episodic opening movement (one of two). Emotionally charged from the start and then throughout, this piece is exciting, tranquil, disturbed and heroic. Reminiscent of Liszt and Rachmaninoff. Much extended harmonic and typical virtuosic flare. A busy and driven opening to the largest ensemble Xander has composed for so far.

Interpret this as you wish.


Pianist and Composer Xander Benham.

Piano Septet in Bb minor 1st movement

Bach Toccata in E minor, BWV 914, 3rd movement

Scaramouche for two pianos, 3rd movement by Darius Milhaud (1937).

Recorded during a live concert in London on the 3rd of March 2017.

Performed by Xander Benham and Hans Montanana.

You’ll be dancing! Emulating the colours of the original saxophone and orchestra version. This is the immense final movement of Scaramouche for two pianos.


Pianist and composer Xander Benham.

Scaramouche for two pianos, 3rd movement by Darius Milhaud (1937)

Toccata in Eb minor by Aram Khachaturian (1932).

Solo Piano recording at City, University of London - Performed by Xander Benham.

The Toccata is pianistic and brilliant in its use of the piano, while aspects of its melodic and rhythmic material are traceable to Armenian folk music. 

A powerful rhythmic drive establishes itself from the very beginning of the Toccata with modal and beautiful central section preparing the piece for the return of the first section in a bold ending.

Pianist and Composer Xander Benham.

Toccata In Eb Minor By Aram Khachaturian (1932)

Original composition for Septet.

Piano Septet in Bb minor for Solo Piano, Oboe, Clarinet in Bb, Trumpet in Bb, Violin, Viola and Violoncello. Completed in May 2017.

This piece contains improvised sections that have been designed to sound as if they were notated. The point was to play with the expectations of the listener. They might perceive the music to be doing one thing when in fact it is achieving the opposite through cross- influenced genre associated idioms.

This final movement is “classically” influenced and especially by contemporary composers in the latter half of the 20th century but explores the use of improvisation.

The fundamental themes within this work are developed classically. They link together both notated and improvised (jazz influenced) sections to create an undefinable amalgamation of genre. The themes are also developed in different styles rhythmically and harmonically to convey a broader range of genre being used.

Interpret this as you wish.

Pianist and Composer,

Xander Benham.

Piano Septet In Bb Minor Final movement

I have uploaded both the first and final movements separately but here is the full version of the septet! FULL VERSION HERE.

Piano Septet in Bb minor

Pianist from Chelmsford, Essex, currently studying music at City University London with tuition from the Guildhall School of Music and Drama.

Composer - Performer - Teacher - Accompanist

Watch a Piano Come to Life.

Piano Septet In Bb Minor Final movement

Xander Benham Pianist

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