THE MUSICAL COMPOSITIONS OF PETER WILLSHER

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» A selection of compositions is available here: Instrumental or Choral

INSTRUMENTAL

Over Gatineau 2005
A trio for violin, cello and piano. Published by Willsher Music

Intermezzo 2004
For viola and piano (not so much a piano reduction as a reworking of the piece written for viola and strings)

Sadness 2002
For piano
Published by Willsher Music

Christmas Gift 2000
For piano. A piece for my family on Christmas morning 2000
Published by Willsher Music

Wedding Fantasia 1990
(Commission)

Wedding 1985
For piano.

A New Life 1972
Written to celebrate the birth of my first nephew Robin Willsher, circa 1972, but only recently published by Willsher Music
(This piece has been played by several of my former students, as well as others)

Jig 1970
For violin and piano

Fantasia1970
For Piano

Impromptu1970
For Piano

Rhapsody1969
For Piano

Miniature1968
For Piano

Variations On A Theme1968
For Piano
(‘dedicated to my brother ‘cos he let me drive his car’)

Sonata in 3 movements1967
For Piano

Poem1968
For Piano

Ballade1968
For Piano


CHORAL

The Journey 2007
a cantata for soprano and bass soloists, chorus and orchestra
Words and music by Peter Willsher

Love Songs 2005
For tenor and strings. They revised versions of 3 of the 5 Love Songs written in 1980 to words of Rupert Brooke. These will be performed by Fraser Rubins, a heart surgeon at the Ottawa Heart Institute at a fund raising concert for that institution on June 18th 2005, in Ottawa

The Lord’s Prayer 2005
A cappella piece which has yet to receive a public performance

Reflections 2003
Words and music Peter Willsher
This is an a capella piece, written in memory of my mother
(Premiered by Cantabile Chorale May 2003, in Montreal)

Joseph 2002
Words and music Peter Willsher
This is a carol for vocal solo and piano accompaniment.

Christmas Lullaby 1998
Words and music Peter Willsher
This is a carol for Soprano with optional split altos, and piano accompaniment.
(Several performances by Cantabile Chorale of Montreal)

Five Songs of Love 1980
Words by Rupert Brooke
SSAA choir and soloists, strings and/or piano acc. 1980. Composed for the Madrigal Choir of West Heath School(Several performances of individual songs in Quebec, and the complete performance by West Heath School Choir, in the UK)

Child Of The Maid 1979
Words John Oxenham.
Christmas cantata for female voices with piano acc..1979. Composed for the Madrigal Choir of West Heath School.
(Performed by the Madrigal Choir of West Heath School in 1979)

Stabat Mater 1978
SSAA with piano acc.
Composed for the Madrigal Choir of West Heath School
(Performed by the Madrigal Choir of West Heath School 1978)

Voices Words Tilda Swinton. SSA with piano acc. 1978
Composed for the Madrigal Choir of West Heath School
(Performed by the Madrigal Choir of West Heath School 1978)

Now That Spring Has Come 1977
SATB with piano acc. Words Trad
Composed for the Southborough Choral Society, and subsequently the Madrigal Choir of West Heath School)

In The Bleak Mid-Winter 1977
Two versions SSA & SATB both with piano acc.
Words C. Rossetti
Composed for the Madrigal Choir of West Heath School
(Performed by the Madrigal Choir of West Heath School 1977 and subsequently by the Southborough Choral Society)

Everyone Suddenly Burst Out Singing 1975
for female voices and piano acc.
A setting of Siegfried Sassoon’s poem Everyone Sang
Published by Josef Weinberger. SATB version published by Boosey & Hawkes
Composed for the memorial concert of Pat Scanlon at West Heath School
(This was first performed by six of Pat Scanlon’s vocal students in 1975. It has received many performances worldwide, and is still being performed frequently in the US. It has also been used for competitions in the UK and the US. Recently included in BBC's 2008 Remembrance Sunday episode of Songs Of Praise, held at St. Chad’s Church, Shrewsbury, and hosted by Aled Jones).

Lay your Sleepy Head 1975
unaccompanied for female voices
Composed for the choir of West Heath School
(Performed by the Choir of West Heath School)


SYMPHONIC

Intermezzo 2002
For viola and strings
Commissioned by Kevin James
Published by Willsher Music
(Performed by Sinfonia Musica, Ottawa 2002, and in Dubuque, Iowa 2003 played by the Dubuque Community String Orchestra)

Roots and Wings 2001
Written for Sinfonia Musica
Published by Willsher Music
(Performed by Sinfonia Musica Ottawa 2001 and by the Cathedral Bluffs Symphony Orchestra in 2002)

Americas Suite 2000
For full orchestra
Commissioned by the Parkdale UnitedChurch Orchestra
Published by Willsher music
(Performed by the Parkdale Orchestra in 2000, and again in 2002)

Helen Keller Symphony1998
For full orchestra
Composed for the Parkdale
United Church Orchestra
Published by Willsher Music
(Performed by the Parkdale Orchestra 1998 and again in 1999)

Two Pieces for School Orchestra 1986
Composed for the School Orchestra of Streatham and Clapham High School
(Performed by the School Orchestra 1986)


In addition to the above are many compositions currently in electronic format. In between committing these listed pieces to manuscript, and or print, there have been many experiments with electronic music, some for commercial use, and some purely for the entertainment or to further the experience of the composer.