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

Finalist in the Ryan Leach April 2024 Composing Competition. 

I wanted to try to capture the feeling of approaching the island of Mont Saint-Michel and seeing that majestic structure rising up out of the water. I started with a short motivic idea on a solo flute as we first spot the island on the horizon. As the full size and beauty of it is revealed upon our approach, this idea is carried forward into the entire orchestra finally heralding our arrival to the island.

[Finalist!!] Ryan Leach April 2024 Competition // Le Héraut de Saint-Michel

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

[Finalist!!] Ryan Leach April 2024 Competition // Le Héraut de Saint-Michel

Christopher Cook

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