Sonata for Bass Clarinet and Piano - Easher Austin
'Sonata for Bass Clarinet and Piano was written by Easher in October 2022. This was a time when he first became fascinated by the huge range of pitch, dynamics and expression that are possible with the bass clarinet and he tried to explore some of these possibilities in this sonata. The opening movement is quite serious and restless in character, with incessant rhythms in both instruments and with an ending of unexpected tonality. The second movement is a calm reverie where the bass clarinet explores gentle melodic lines above quiet, rich ostinato chords on the piano. The third movement breaks the calm of the reverie with a lively, rhythmic dance. Highly Commended in BBC Young Composer 2023.'
Listen/Watch: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WNjuoDqQTcY
Purchase: https://www.hummingbirdmaskarade.co.uk/catalogue/detail/sonata-for-bass-clarinet-piano/
Marche Triomphale for Brass Band - Easher Austin
'Marche Triomphale was inspired by the military-style marches Easher heard played at the coronation of King Charles III which he found very uplifting. He wanted his piece to communicate both triumphant feelings of victory and the sadness associated with fallen comrades and the longing for home. Hence, the work features a triumphant main theme in a major key and two more thoughtful secondary themes, one in the relative minor and one in major.'
Listen/Watch: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yJTbf_6oqt4
Purchase: Contact me for the score and parts.
Twilight for Wind Band - Easher Austin
'Twilight is a short piece for Wind Band, reflecting the calmness and tranquility of the soft glowing light from the sky. Moments of chaos and anger are shown in the tutti, showing the extreme emotions from watching something so beautiful. This work was first premiered by the Junior Royal Birmingham Conservatoire Wind Band.'
Listen/Watch: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YAHNvF6c6no&list=RDYAHNvF6c6no&start_radio=1
Purchase: Contact me for the score and parts.
Quarto for Wind Band - Easher Austin
'The word 'Quarto' in this context respresents the Italian word for 'a fourth'. This piece is heavily inspired by intervals of a fourth and quartal chords, being stacked upon each other. The piece has its origins in improvisations at the piano, where Easher was experimenting using fourths melodically and harmonically. He also decided to create a slower, contrasting section in the middle using more traditional triadic harmony, before a brass fanfare theme appears repeatedly at the climax of the piece. Quarto is written for Wind Band, an ensemble that Easher greatly appreciate and enjoys playing in himself, because of the many colours, wide dynamic range and interesting textures that can be explored. Highly Commended in BBC Young Composer 2025.'
Listen/Watch: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1m0kKxDD4Gc
Purchase: Contact me for the score and parts.
Black Heat for Organ - Easher Austin
'Originally an improvisation by Easher, Black Heat was later transcribed and refined into its current form. It was inpsired by the very unique and individual sounds of the organ at Blackburn Cathedral. A slow and hauting opening melody is soon interrupted by a fierce and restless ostinato of repeating quavers throughout the music, before it explodes into a huge fanfare on the Chamades. The piece remains in its dark character and ends in the minor, almost feeling quite abrupt.'
Listen/Watch: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=khzgaoVB8I4
Purchase: Contact me for the music.