Composing

"....Courageous in its simplicity and deserves to be heard."
(SPNM Reading panel)

All my instrumental music is now notated using Sibelius software, whilst electronic work derives mostly from acoustic source material, which is then subjected to Akai samplers, Melodyne pitch-changing software and other effects.

I am always keen to discuss creative projects, commissions or performances of my work. It is the life-blood of any composer to be writing and to be heard! If you are a performer, conductor, choreographer, visual artist, director or writer etc looking for fresh musical dimensions, then please get in touch! You can also find me on iLike and Facebook

Many of the pieces listed have sound-file samples (mp3 format or similar) and/or sample scores (pdf format). Additional samples are being added all the time. Please note that the audio or visual definition of these samples does not match the quality of the originals.

All score samples are available to purchase as complete A4 scores (with parts where appropriate). They are printed on high quality paper and attractively bound with centre staples. Until this website is set up to handle on-line purchases, please contact me if you wish to buy any of these scores or recordings.

Categories:

NEW WORK (work in progress)	Electric Guitar (with effects box) Commissioned by Matthew Marshall
STILL BEATING (2007)	Lever Harp Commissioned by the Society for the Promotion of New Music for performance by Ruth Wall, Wapping Power Station, March 2007. c14 mins More info Fullscore: 12pp £8 incl P&P. Purchase View sample Listen Ruth Wall: harp
MOONLIGHTING (concert version of Playfall) (1998)	Piano First performance Julian Hellaby, BMIC, London, March 2001. c25 mins More info Fullscore: 25pp £14 incl P&P. Purchase View sample Listen Catherine Laws: piano (2nd movement)
SHADOWALL (1997, rev 1998)	Organ Commissioned by Daniel Moult, organist Coventry Cathedral. First performance Coventry Cathedral, July 1997. c15 mins Listen Daniel Moult: organ
LIFE BEFORE BIRTH (1996)	Violoncello - 2 CDs Commissioned by Suits U2 Dance Co. as music to contemporary dance piece ‘Caught Up’ with funds from W. Midlands Arts. Choreographer: Sarah Whatley. First performance Coventry University, March 1996. c25 mins Fullscore: 11pp + 2 backing CDs £14.50 incl P&P. Purchase View sample Listen (extract 1) Bob Davey: cello solo and samples
THEN AGAIN... (1994)	Piano Selected by SPNM Reading Panel 1994. First performance Julian Hellaby, St James, Piccadilly, March 1994. c15 mins Listen Julian Hellaby: piano (2nd movement)
PIANO SONATA ‘RECONCILIATIONS’ (1985)	Piano First performance Raymond Clarke, BMIC, February 1986. Selected by SPNM for performance by Michael Finnissy, BMIC, May 1986. c14 mins Listen Raymond Clarke: piano
PROSPECTUS (1980)	Piano First performance Lancaster University, March 1982. c4 mins
AT THE ELEVENTH HOUR (1979)	Piano Winner of 1980 Aylesbury Music Festival composition award. c6 mins Listen Christopher Best: piano

Chamber & vocal

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HOW GREAT, HOW FALL’N (2004)	Sop, Alt, Ten, Bass - SATB - 2 Tpt, Hn, Tbn, Tba - Tub Bls (words J.Reeve) Selected by John Armitage Memorial for their 2004 season. First performed St. Bride’s London, March 2004. Conductor Sarah McDonald. c12 mins More info Fullscore: 30pp £17 incl P&P. Purchase Set of 9 parts. Hire or purchase View sample Listen see More info for list of performers
DOLYA NASH KRAI (2003)	Sop, Alt - El Gui - Gamelan Gong Kebyar (words trad. Ukrainian folk) Selected by SPNM Reading Panel. First performance, Totnes Castle, July 2004. c11 mins More info Fullscore: 49pp £26 incl P&P. Purchase Set of 14 parts. Hire View sample Listen see More info for list of performers
RING OF BELLS (1999)	4 Perc: Mar, Vbs, 5 Gongs, 5 Crot c6 mins
BRIEF SYMPHONIES (chamber version of Then Again...) (1997)	Fl (anchi Picc), Ob, Cl (anchi Bcl), Ten Sax (anchi Bar) - Tpt, Tbn c8 mins
INVOCATION (vocal version of Another Kind of Air) (1997)	C-ten, 2 Ten, Bs - Crotales - Org (words from Latin Mass). c13 mins
NIGHT WALKING (1997)	Cl, Bcl - Vln, Vcl Commissioned by SPNM for 1997 Spitalfields Festival. First performance by ‘Jane’s Minstrels’, Christ Church, Spitalfields, June 1997. c4 mins Fullscore: 7pp £5.00 incl P&P. Purchase Set of 4 parts. Hire or purchase View sample Listen Performers as above
THE SONG OF EACH HEART (1996, rev 1997)	Sop - Org (words Bill Wallace) First performance: Moragh Brooksbank/Daniel Moult, Coventry Cathedral, October 1996. c9 mins Listen Performers as above
ANOTHER KIND OF AIR (1996)	Sop Sax, Alt Sax, Ten Sax, Bar Sax - Crot c12 mins
ROSSETTI DANCES (chamber version of Sisters Fayre) (1995)	3 Fl, 3 Cl - Mar, Vbs (1 player) - 3 Vcl Selected by SPNM Reading Panel 1996. c20 mins
THE ALPHABET TREE (chamber version) (1995 revised 2006)	2 Tpt, Tba - Tmp - Mar (2 players) - Pno - Hrp - Db c10 mins Fullscore: 33pp £18.00 incl P&P. Purchase Set of 7 parts. Hire or purchase View sample
HERALD THE NEW STAGE (1991)	2 Hn, 2 Tpt, 2 Trb, Tba - Vbs Commissioned by Coventry Centre for the Performing Arts for the opening of its new theatre, November 1991. c8 mins
IN THIS OTHER HOUSE (1991)	Sop, Ten - 2 Gui (words Brian Jones) First performance: Church of St. Peter, St. Albans, March 1991. c8 mins
THE SISTERS SUITE (1990)	Des Rcdr - Vln - Pno c15 mins
TIME-SHARING (1986)	Fl - Vln, Vla - Pno Commissioned by Copenhagen Conservatoire for the Lerchenbourg International Festival of New Music, Denmark, June 1986. c10 mins
TRIAPHONY (1984, rev 1985)	Fl, Ob, Cl - Vln, Vla, Vcl - Pno Commissioned by Friends of the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Soc. Winner of 1985 ‘Sonorities’ award. First performance: ‘Aquarius’, Queens University Belfast, recorded by the BBC, April 1985. c12 mins
I SAID TO MY SOUL, BE STILL (1983)	Fl - Pno Commissioned by Friends of St Mary’s. First performance: Margaret Campbell and Christopher Cox, St. Mary’s Church, Aylesbury May 1983. c5 mins
BAGATELLE (1981)	St Qt. c2 mins
ISORHYTHMS (1981)	St Qt. c5 mins
A PROSPECT OF DEATH (1979)	Bar - Pno (words Andrew Young) First performance: Lancaster University, March 1981. c4 mins Fullscore (C#minor or B minor): 5pp £4.50 incl P&P. Purchase View sample

Orchestral & choral

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PANAURA (1999, rev 2006)	5+(1anchi Picc),3+,5+,0,Sop Sax3+,Ten Sax) - 0,2,1,1 - 4 Prc - Pno, Kybd, Hrp - 4 El Gui, El Bass - Stgs First performed by ‘Kokoro’/Dartington College students, Dartington Hall April 1999. c18 mins More info Fullscore: 34pp £19.00 incl P&P. Purchase Set of 28 parts. Hire View sample Listen Performers as above
LIFE BEFORE BIRTH (string version) (1997)	Stgs (3,3,2,2,1) c25 mins
CUE - PLAY - REVIEW (1988)	2(1anchi Picc, 2anchi Alto),0,1(anchi Bcl),0 - 0,0,0,0 - 2 Prc - Pno - Hrp - Stgs (3,0,3,2,1) c40 mins
FINDHORN CHORUSES (1 and 2) (1988)*	SATB - Fl, Cl (anchi Bcl) - Trb - Vln - Pno - 3 Prc (words trad) c5 mins
SONATA FOR ORCHESTRA (1984)	Picc,2,2,Cor,2,Bcl,2,Cbs - 4,3,3,1 - Tmp - 3 Prc - Hrp - Stgs Selected by SPNM Reading Panel 1985. First performance: University Orchestra, Great Hall Nottingham University, June 1985. Conductor Christopher Best. c16 mins
THE FOUR PERIODS OF CREATION (1983)	SATB - 2(2anchi Picc),2,2,2 - 4,2,3,0 - Tmp - 2 Prc - Stgs (words traditional Maori folk) Commissioned by Ormskirk Musical Society. c18 mins
SYMPHONY IN 2 MOVEMENTS (1983)	2(anchi Picc),2,2,2 - 4,3,3,0 - 4 Prc - Pno - Stgs First performance: University Orchestra, Great Hall Lancaster University, February 1983. Conductor Christopher Best. c20 mins
VENI CREATOR SPIRITUS (1981)	SSAATTBB c2 mins

Electronic & mixed media

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LETTERS AFTER A NAME (work in progress) (concert version of ‘Still’ and ‘Pocketsize)	Cl (anchi Bcl), Perc, Vln (anchi Vla), CD
WAKING DANCE (2003)	CD Re-worked version of music to ‘Twilight Tempest'. c60 mins More info Listen See More info for list of performers
PRETENDED FLIGHT (1992)	CD Commissioned as music to contemporary dance piece, choreographed and danced by Sarah Whatley, Chisenhale Dance Space, London, November 1992. c17 mins Listen Christopher Best: voices and sampling
THE GARDENS OF FINDHORN (includes works marked*) (1988)	Sop, Ten - SATB - Fl(anchi Alto), Cl(anchi Bcl) - Trb - Vln - Pno - 3 Prc - 2 CDs (words from ‘The Findhorn Garden’ and trad). c50 mins
THE DEVA GARDEN (1988)*	Soprano, 2 CDs (words from ‘The Findhorn Garden’) First performance Patricia Garnham, Coventry Centre for the Performing Arts, March 1991. c16 mins Listen Patricia Garnham: voice
FROM STEEL TO STONE (1987)*	CD Presented at Elektrisk Helg ’00, Swedish Radio, Malmo, May 2000. c14 mins Listen David Huron: voice samples

Dance & theatre

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POCKETSIZE (2005)	CD Commissioned by Claid & Co. Choreographer: Emilyn Claid. Texts: David Williams. First performance Exeter Phoenix, October 2005. c60 mins Listen Christopher Best: all sounds
TWILIGHT TEMPEST (2001)	Djembe/Kumina drum (1 player), CD Commissioned by Bimba Dance Theatre. Choreographer: Indra Thiagarajah. First performance Roadmender Theatre, Northampton, May 2001. c60 mins More info Listen See More info for list of performers
STILL (1999)	Cl (anchi Bcl), Perc, Vln (anchi Vla), CD Commissioned by Scottish Dance Theatre. Choreographer: Janet Smith. First performance Dundee Repertory Theatre, Dundee, September 1999. c34 mins
PLAYFALL (1997)	CD Commissioned by Scottish Dance Theatre. Choreographer: Janet Smith. First performance Dundee Repertory Theatre, Dundee, February 1998. c23 mins More info Listen Catherine Laws: piano (2nd movement)
FRACTOR (1997)	CD Commissioned by Kaleidoscope Integrated Dance Project with funds from The National Lottery. Choreographer: Louise Katerega. First performance Richard Attenborough Centre, Leicester, September 1997. c15 mins Listen Bonnie Chamberlain & Louise Katerega: voice samples
LIFE BEFORE BIRTH (1996)	Violoncello - 2 CDs Commissioned by Suits U2 Dance Co. as music to contemporary dance piece ‘Caught Up’ with funds from W. Midlands Arts. Choreographer: Sarah Whatley. First performance Coventry University, March 1996. c25 mins Listen (extract 2) Bob Davey: cello solo and samples
SONGS FROM EDWARD BOND’S ‘DEREK’ (1994)	Alt, Ten - Cl - Trb - Pno (words Edward Bond) Commissioned by Storm Theatre. Director: Mark Evans. First performance Belgrade Studio Theatre, Coventry, August 1994. c13 mins
THE ALPHABET TREE (1993)	Tape Composed for choreographer Amanda Britton (Rambert Dance Co.). First performance Birmingham NEC, December 1993. c10 mins
SONGS/INCIDENTAL MUSIC TO ‘TWELFTH NIGHT’ (1993)	Tape - Bar (words Shakespeare) Composed for 1993 Pendley International Shakespeare Festival. First performance August 1993, director: Mark Evans. c20 mins Listen John Ryan: saxophones, Christopher Best: guitar
SISTERS FAYRE (1992)	Tape Commissioned by choreographers Helen Greaves and Sarah Whatley with funds from W. Midlands Arts. First performance DanceXchange, Birmingham, February 1993. c26 mins
PRETENDED FLIGHT (1992)	CD Commissioned as music to contemporary dance piece, choreographed and danced by Sarah Whatley, Chisenhale Dance Space, London, November 1992. c17 mins Listen Christopher Best: voice samples
SONGS/INCIDENTAL MUSIC TO ‘THE WINTER’S TALE’ (1984)	Sop, Alt, Bar - Fl, Ob - Tpt - Stg Qt - Gui - Pno - 2 Prc (words Shakespeare) Commissioned by Cambridge Amateur Dramatic Club. First performance Cambridge A.D.C., November 1984, director: John Highkin. c20 mins

Solo instrumental	Chamber & vocal	Orchestral & choral
Electronic & mixed media	Dance & theatre	CDs

ChristopherBest.net

composer and writer

Composing

Categories:

Solo instrumental (with/without backing)

NEW WORK (work in progress)

STILL BEATING (2007)

MOONLIGHTING (concert version of Playfall) (1998)

SHADOWALL (1997, rev 1998)

LIFE BEFORE BIRTH (1996)

THEN AGAIN... (1994)

PIANO SONATA ‘RECONCILIATIONS’ (1985)

PROSPECTUS (1980)

AT THE ELEVENTH HOUR (1979)

Chamber & vocal

HOW GREAT, HOW FALL’N (2004)

DOLYA NASH KRAI (2003)

RING OF BELLS (1999)

BRIEF SYMPHONIES (chamber version of Then Again...) (1997)

INVOCATION (vocal version of Another Kind of Air) (1997)

NIGHT WALKING (1997)

THE SONG OF EACH HEART (1996, rev 1997)

ANOTHER KIND OF AIR (1996)

ROSSETTI DANCES (chamber version of Sisters Fayre) (1995)

THE ALPHABET TREE (chamber version) (1995 revised 2006)

HERALD THE NEW STAGE (1991)

IN THIS OTHER HOUSE (1991)

THE SISTERS SUITE (1990)

TIME-SHARING (1986)

TRIAPHONY (1984, rev 1985)

I SAID TO MY SOUL, BE STILL (1983)

BAGATELLE (1981)

ISORHYTHMS (1981)

A PROSPECT OF DEATH (1979)

Orchestral & choral

PANAURA (1999, rev 2006)

LIFE BEFORE BIRTH (string version) (1997)

CUE - PLAY - REVIEW (1988)

FINDHORN CHORUSES (1 and 2) (1988)*

SONATA FOR ORCHESTRA (1984)

THE FOUR PERIODS OF CREATION (1983)

SYMPHONY IN 2 MOVEMENTS (1983)

VENI CREATOR SPIRITUS (1981)

Electronic & mixed media

LETTERS AFTER A NAME (work in progress) (concert version of ‘Still’ and ‘Pocketsize)

WAKING DANCE (2003)

PRETENDED FLIGHT (1992)

THE GARDENS OF FINDHORN (includes works marked*) (1988)

THE DEVA GARDEN (1988)*

FROM STEEL TO STONE (1987)*

Dance & theatre

POCKETSIZE (2005)

TWILIGHT TEMPEST (2001)

STILL (1999)

PLAYFALL (1997)

FRACTOR (1997)

LIFE BEFORE BIRTH (1996)

SONGS FROM EDWARD BOND’S ‘DEREK’ (1994)

THE ALPHABET TREE (1993)

SONGS/INCIDENTAL MUSIC TO ‘TWELFTH NIGHT’ (1993)

SISTERS FAYRE (1992)

PRETENDED FLIGHT (1992)

SONGS/INCIDENTAL MUSIC TO ‘THE WINTER’S TALE’ (1984)

CDs

WAKING DANCE (2003)

Updated Oct 08

NEW WORK
(work in progress)

STILL BEATING
(2007)

MOONLIGHTING
(concert version of Playfall)
(1998)

SHADOWALL
(1997, rev 1998)

LIFE BEFORE BIRTH
(1996)

THEN AGAIN...
(1994)

PIANO SONATA ‘RECONCILIATIONS’
(1985)

PROSPECTUS
(1980)

AT THE ELEVENTH HOUR
(1979)

HOW GREAT, HOW FALL’N
(2004)

DOLYA NASH KRAI
(2003)

RING OF BELLS
(1999)

BRIEF SYMPHONIES
(chamber version of
Then Again...)
(1997)

INVOCATION
(vocal version of
Another Kind of Air)
(1997)

NIGHT WALKING
(1997)

THE SONG OF EACH HEART
(1996, rev 1997)

ANOTHER KIND OF AIR
(1996)

ROSSETTI DANCES
(chamber version
of Sisters Fayre)
(1995)

THE ALPHABET TREE
(chamber version)
(1995 revised 2006)

HERALD THE NEW STAGE
(1991)

IN THIS OTHER HOUSE
(1991)

THE SISTERS SUITE
(1990)

TIME-SHARING
(1986)

TRIAPHONY
(1984, rev 1985)

I SAID TO MY SOUL, BE STILL
(1983)

BAGATELLE
(1981)

ISORHYTHMS
(1981)

A PROSPECT OF DEATH
(1979)

PANAURA
(1999, rev 2006)

LIFE BEFORE BIRTH
(string version)
(1997)

CUE - PLAY - REVIEW
(1988)

FINDHORN CHORUSES
(1 and 2)
(1988)*

SONATA FOR ORCHESTRA
(1984)

THE FOUR PERIODS OF CREATION
(1983)

SYMPHONY IN 2 MOVEMENTS
(1983)

VENI CREATOR SPIRITUS
(1981)

LETTERS AFTER A NAME
(work in progress)
(concert version of ‘Still’ and ‘Pocketsize)

WAKING DANCE
(2003)

PRETENDED FLIGHT
(1992)

THE GARDENS OF FINDHORN
(includes works marked*)
(1988)

THE DEVA GARDEN
(1988)*

FROM STEEL TO STONE
(1987)*

POCKETSIZE
(2005)

TWILIGHT TEMPEST
(2001)

STILL
(1999)

PLAYFALL
(1997)

FRACTOR
(1997)

LIFE BEFORE BIRTH
(1996)

SONGS FROM EDWARD BOND’S ‘DEREK’
(1994)

THE ALPHABET TREE
(1993)

SONGS/INCIDENTAL MUSIC TO ‘TWELFTH NIGHT’
(1993)

SISTERS FAYRE
(1992)

PRETENDED FLIGHT
(1992)

SONGS/INCIDENTAL MUSIC TO ‘THE WINTER’S TALE’
(1984)

WAKING DANCE
(2003)