Christopher Best

composer ~ educator ~ performer ~ writer


 

Composing

"....mature and powerful work, able to portray the dark shadows of loss that can unexpectedly creep into even the most joyful moments in life...."
(Dance Europe)

Most of the pieces listed below have sample scores (pdf format) and high-quality MP3 sound-file extracts. Additional material is being added all the time.

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 e-mail if you wish to buy any of these scores or recordings.


Categories:





Solo instrumental music:

ECHOES OF A LOST MUSIC
(2009)

 

Electric Guitar (with E-Bow and Boss DD-20 Looping Pedal)
Commissioned by Matthew Marshall. First performance: Tauranga, New Zealand, 5th August 2009. c30 mins
More info
Fullscore: 20pp £12 incl P&P. Purchase
View sample

LISTEN: Opening (Christopher Best: electric guitar)

LISTEN: Close (Christopher Best: electric guitar)

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: 2nd movement (Catherine Laws: piano)

LISTEN: 5th movement (Julian Hellaby: piano)

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)

LISTEN: Extract 2 (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: 2nd movement (Julian Hellaby: piano)

LISTEN: 3rd movement (Julian Hellaby: piano)

LISTEN: 6th movement (Julian Hellaby: piano)

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: Christopher Best, Lancaster University, March 1982. c4 mins

AT THE ELEVENTH HOUR
(1979)

Piano
Winner of 1980 Aylesbury Music Festival composition award, performed by Christopher Best. c6 mins

Fullscore: 13pp £8 incl P&P. Purchase
View sample

LISTEN: (Sequenced recording)


Chamber and vocal music:

NIGHT WALKING
(version for alto flute)
(2005)

Alt Fl , Bcl - Vln, Vcl
Original score commissioned by SPNM for the 1997 Spitalfields Festival. This version written at the request of Kokoro. First performance by members of Kokoro: Great Hall, Dartington, October 2006. c4 mins
Fullscore: 7pp £5.00 incl P&P. Purchase
Set of 4 parts. Hire or purchase
View sample

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 performance: St. Bride’s London, March 2004, conducted by Sarah McDonald. c12 mins
More info
Fullscore: 30pp £17 incl P&P. Purchase
Set of 9 parts. Hire or purchase
View sample


LISTEN: Extract (See More info above for list of performers)

LISTEN: Complete work (See More info above 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, conducted by Christopher Best. c11 mins
More info
Fullscore: 49pp £26 incl P&P. Purchase
Set of 14 parts. Hire
View sample


LISTEN: 1st movement (See More info above for list of performers)

LISTEN: 2nd movement (See More info above 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 the 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: Complete work (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

LISTEN: (Dartington College of Arts students and staff)

HERALD THE NEW STAGE
(1991)

2 Hn, 2 Tpt, 2 Tbn, 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

LISTEN:
(Sharon Ellis: soprano, [Christopher Best: tenor], Catherine Cashmore, Adrian Rose: guitars)

THE SISTERS SUITE
(1990)

Des Rcdr - Vln - Pno
c15 mins

TIME-SHARING
(1986)

Fl - Vln, Vla - Pno
Commissioned by Copenhagen Conservatoire for the Lerchenborg 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
FOR STRING QUARTET
(1981)

St Qt. c7 mins
First performance:
Students of Lancaster University Music Deparment, Lancaster University, March 1982

LISTEN: Complete work (Performers as above)

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 and choral music:

HOW GREAT, HOW FALL'N
(orchestral version)
(2010)

1,1,1,1 - 2,1,1,1 - Accdn, Pno, 6 Tub Bls, 1 Perc - Stgs (8,8,6,4,2)
c13 mins

PANAURA
(1999, rev 2006)

5+(1anchi Picc),3+,5+,0,Sop Sax3+,Ten Sax - 0,2,1,1 - 4 Perc - Pno, Kybd, Hrp - 4 El Gui, El Bass - Stgs
First performed by ‘Kokoro’/Dartington College students, Dartington Hall April 1999, conductors: Mark Forkgen and Christopher Best. c18 mins
More info

Fullscore: 34pp £19.00 incl P&P. Purchase
Set of 28 parts. Hire
View sample

LISTEN: 3rd Movement (MIDI simulation)

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 Perc - Pno - Hrp - Stgs (3,0,3,2,1)
c40 mins

FINDHORN CHORUSES
(1 and 2)
(1988)*

SATB - Fl, Cl (anchi Bcl) - Tbn - Vln - Pno - 3 Perc (words trad)
c5 mins

SONATA FOR ORCHESTRA
(1984)

Picc,2,2,Cor,2,Bcl,2,Cbs - 4,3,3,1 - Tmp - 3 Perc - Hrp - Stgs
Selected by SPNM Reading Panel 1985. First performance: University Orchestra, Great Hall Nottingham University, June 1985, conducted by Christopher Best. c16 mins

THE FOUR PERIODS OF CREATION
(1983)

SATB - 2(2anchi Picc),2,2,2 - 4,2,3,0 - Tmp - 2 Perc - 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 Perc - Pno - Stgs
First performance: University Orchestra, Great Hall Lancaster University, February 1983, conducted by Christopher Best. c20 mins

VENI CREATOR SPIRITUS
(1981)

SSAATTBB
c2 mins


Electronic and mixed media work:

LETTERS AFTER A NAME
(2008)
(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
To Listen to extracts from Waking Dance, go to CDs

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: Extract 1 (Maryam Best, Indigo Craig, Christopher Best: voice samples)

LISTEN: Extract 2 (Indigo Craig, Christopher Best: voice samples)

LISTEN: Extract 3 (Christopher Best: voice samples)

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

Sop, Ten - SATB - Fl(anchi Alto), Cl(anchi Bcl) - Tbn - Vln - Pno - 3 Perc - 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)


Music for dance and theatre:

POCKETSIZE
(2005)

CD
Commissioned by Claid & Co. Choreographer Emilyn Claid. Texts: David Williams. First performance: Exeter Phoenix, October 2005. c60 mins

LISTEN: Smokey Dance (Damien Harron: live drums, Christopher Best: all other sounds)

LISTEN: Baroque Dance (Fenella Barton: violin, Ian Mitchell: bass clarinet, Damien Harron: vibraphone, Christopher Best: all other sounds)

LISTEN: Closing Processional (Christopher Best: all sounds)

TWILIGHT TEMPEST
(2001)

Djembe/Kumina drum (1 player), CD
Commissioned by Bimba Dance Theatre. Choreographer: Indra Thiagarajah. First performed at the Roadmender Theatre, Northampton, May 2001. c60 mins
More info
To Listen to extracts from Twilight Tempest, go to CDs (Waking Dance)

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: 2nd movement (Catherine Laws: piano)

LISTEN: 5th movement (Julian Hellaby: piano)

FRACTOR
(1997)

CD
Commissioned by Kaleidoscope Integrated Dance Project with funds from The National Lottery. Choreographer: Louise Katerega. First performed at the 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 1 (Bob Davey: cello solo and samples
)

LISTEN: Extract 2 (Bob Davey: cello solo and samples)

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

Alt, Ten - Cl - Tbn - 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 the Pendley International Shakespeare Festival, August 1993. Director: Mark Evans. c20 mins

LISTEN: When That I Was (John Ryan: saxophones, Christopher Best: acoustic guitar)

LISTEN: Interval Music (Christopher Best: all instruments)

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: Extract 1 (Maryam Best, Indigo Craig, Christopher Best: voice samples)

LISTEN: Extract 2 (Indigo Craig, Christopher Best: voice samples)

LISTEN: Extract 3 (Christopher Best: voice samples)

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

Sop, Alt, Bar - Fl, Ob - Tpt - Stgs Qt - Gui - Pno - 2 Perc (words Shakespeare)
Commissioned by Cambridge Amateur Dramatic Club. First performance: Cambridge A.D.C., November 1984, directed by John Highkin. c20 mins


CDs:

WAKING DANCE
(2003)

1] Spirits of Yamalya
2] Gyile Song
LISTEN:

3] The Veiling
4] Last Chorus
LISTEN:

5] Yama's Kingdom
6] Processional
7] Mortal Love
8] Wake Dances (Kumina, Pacha, Yanvalu)
LISTEN: (two extracts)

9] The Unveiling
10] The Deceit
11] A Fire Ritual (Agna Ayahi Vitaye)
LISTEN:


Total Duration 58' 24"
More info See here for list of performers on recordings
£12 incl P&P. Purchase

CHOICE CUTS
(2000)

A sampler CD featuring 27 extracts from compositions 1987-1999
Duration 74' 56 "
£1.50 P&P only

Updated June 2011

© Christopher Best 2011