This was performed by Phillip Leslie - Piano, Samuel Staples - Violin and Nathan Jackson-Turner - Cello.

Apeirophobia is derived from the greek 'Apeiron' meaning infinite or indefinite.

This short study for piano trio was written as a response to the existential concept of infinity and our lack of the ability to fully understand or comprehend it. Taking M.C. Escher paintings as a thematic framework and inspiration, the piece has a cyclical structure with the primary motivic material greatly inspired by rotational symmetry. The dense figurations in the piano are fragmented by persistent interruptions of the strings which slowly start to gain power and control until they open out to the more lyrical middle section. From there, the music seemingly starts to move in reverse with an extended fragmented spasmodic section triggering this change. Moving into the final section, we hear the opening material now twisted and distorted with the combined motifs finally disintegrating to white noise which is abruptly cut off.

Apeirophobia | 2022 | - [Piano Trio]

Fag on the Dancefloor

A fanfare written specially for the coronation of King Charles III, for large brass ensemble. Performed by students of the Royal College of Music.

Fanfare For A New King

I’ve used the phenomenal Oxford Reverb to help create a sense of space between the soloist and the close mic. I also use the same plug-in to provide some tail - it gives such a smooth ending and really blends well with harp and strings here.

I’ve applied some gentle compression in the upper range using Fabfilter Pro-Q 3, which I have on trial specifically to make this demo.

I removed some of the muddy mid-lows from the harp and strings in order to help the performance breathe a bit, and I've used everything except close mic for CSW (Bassoon and Flute). 

Also applied is Joel Dollie’s Panbox, just to put the soloist to the left, and I've spread the strings out with violin 1s and 2s on opposite sides.

Other than that I’ve left this beautiful instrument as is - I hope you enjoy the performance.

Across the Stars (test).wav

First performance conducted by George Vass, August 2021
Commissioned by the Rodenkirchener Kammerchor und Orchester and the Presteigne Festival

Carpenter, Gary - As Dreams Are Made On...

Premiered by RNCM brand new orchestra in the RNCM concert hall, 19th October 2023. Conducted by Harry Lai.

Overdetermination V: Spectre And Spectacle For Symphony Orchestra

Recorded at University of Manchester Music Society Symphony Orchestra concert, 21 Oct 2023, in the Cosmo Rodewald Concert Hall, Martin Harris Centre for Music and Drama.

Kwankaew Ruangtrakool, conductor

Mind the Gap, for symphony orchestra

Nigredo, Cook master

Through Frail Shadows (2023)
for string quartet and fixed media

Composer: Haodong Wang
Performed by Valette Ensemble 
Elana Kenyon-Gewirtz, Rachel Stonham (violin), Jeanette Szeto (viola) and Ruaraidh Williams (cello).
Recorded at the Royal Northern College of Music, Manchester, UK. December, 2023. 
Sound Engineer: Emmy Lambert

Program notes:
The inspirations of ‘Through Frail Shadows’ came from the dual nature of shadows. Visually, every object has its shadows, and so does every individual. Metaphorically, the shadows also refer to those unpleasant and ambiguous memories from our past. No matter how insignificant they may appear, the presence of shadows completes both the objects and us.
Based on this abstract concept, I envisioned the metaphorical shadows as a tangible cage. I began to imagine what it would be like if I were trapped inside. When I whisper, speak, laugh, cry, or scream, what sound will come out? Will that still be my voice? In some way, ‘Through Frail Shadows’ is more like a requiem for the long-gone shadows of the past, where you can find those voices resisting, struggling, suffering—the intention of escaping but also a sense of rebirth. 
- notes by Haodong Wang

Through Frail Shadows

Between Two Explosions - Concertino for String trio and String ensemble (January, 2024)
Performed at RNCM Brand-new String ensemble public workshop in February 2024.  

Composer: Sina Saloor
Conductor: Benjamin Voce
Solo Violin: Sean Morrison
Solo Cello: Andrea Kim
Solo Harp: Holly-Alice Morton
Leader: Caroline Pether

Between Two Explosions

Between Two Explosions - Concertino for String trio and String ensemble

Composer of Contemporary Classical Music & Soundtracks for Film/TV.
2022 RLPO Rushworth Prize Winner
2022 Brookwright IBBCC Winner

Apeirophobia | 2022 | - [Piano Trio]

Christopher Cook

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