Growth of a composer

This quartet was written over a period for 27 years. The first two movements were written in the summer of 1993, and the final two movements were written in the winter for 2020-21. I've been facinated by the Appalachian hymn tune Wonderous Love since I first played it in a Norman Luboff song book. Each movement is based loosely on the tune. The entire quartyet is a mediation on Love as it is expressed through nature, juman sociaety, romance and through Divine Love. 
1. Allegro non troppo - Sonata Allegro Form
2. Scherzo - Presto - Fugue
3. Andante affetuoso - Song Form surrounding a modified chaconne. 
4 Moderato - Double Fugue and Chorale

String Quartet (Wondrous Love)

A short orchestral fantasy based on a Gregorian Easter hymn.

Perfect curtain warmer

Fantasy On Ad Coenam Agni For Orchestra

This was my first full orchestral piece. It was commissioned by the Cannon Valley Orchestra in 1980. I was 19. 

Each movement of the piece was inspired by a different early 20th century technique and composer. 
I. Brass Chorale - inspired by Stravinsky and using "wrong note" harmony. 
II. Nocturne - Inspired by Ives and using twelve note chords. Scored for strings and solo trumpet. 
III. Scherzo - inspired by Bartok (maybe too literally) and using modalism and more wrong note harmony.

Three Bagatelles For Orchestra

Pastorale for Mixed Ensemble Audio

Pavane for Mixed Ensemble Lento

Brass Quartet (1981)

Written in 1981, when I was 19 years old, this piece was commissioned by the Cannon Valley Orchestra in Rice Country Minnesota. It was the first larger scale composition I wrote and the beginning of my first stylistic period.

Concert Music for Oboe and Chamber Orchestra.wav

Onde e Sisma (Theremin Centenary Concert — Loudspeaker Orchestra Concert)

A composition for seismic waves, prepared piano and theremin.

My piece Hyperdrone #2 for prepared piano, theremin and seismic data was performed by Lydia Kavina (theremin) and myself (piano) at the Theremin Centenary Concert. It was a privilege to present the work in this programme celebrating 100 years of the theremin.

Recording by Ian Thompson (stereo version from the ambisonics recording).

Onde e sisma

Via Crucis - 3. Jesus Falls for the First Time 4/9/25

Via Crucis - 4. Jesus Meets His Mother 4/11/25

Via Lucis - 1. First- Jesus is Raised From the Dead 4/23/25

Via Lucis - 7. Jesus Gives the Disciples Authority to Forgive Sins 5-22-25

Enduring Hope (for Wind Band)

Via Crucis Pt 2 - 11. Jesus is Nailed to the Cross 7 - 5 - 25

Fisrt of three short atmospheric preludes for guitar solo

String Quartet (Wondrous Love)

Christopher Gordon Forbes

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