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Music for Professional Orchestra by Anthony Ritchie



Opus 67A Bugle Will Do (1995)
for orchestra
This piece commemorates the hardship of war through the example of Charles Upham. Its 4 sections include haka-like rhythms in the battle scene, the desolation of prison, a lyrical, pastoral section and an exhilarating finale as peace breaks out.
Available from the composer


Opus 96Ahua (2000)
for solo soprano, mezzo soprano, tenors(2), baritone, large choir, orchestra and Maori kapahaka group
A mix of opera and oratorio, with a dramatic libretto by Keri Hulme and strong, evocative music. It incorporates elements of Maori music, and a kapahaka group contributes traditional and original music to the work. 'Ahua' tells the story of Moki, one of the first of the Ngai Tahu tribe to settle in the South Island.
Available from the composer


Opus 72Albatross in Flight (1996)
for orchestra
A short orchestral fanfare, describing the flight of the albatross, a famous resident of Dunedin Peninsula. It is light and frothy, and good for the opening of a concert.
Available from the composer


Opus 25Beginnings (1987)
for orchestra
A colourful and challenging piece of programmatic music describing the birth of the composer's son, Tristan.
Available from the composer


Opus 91Coming to it (1999)
for orchestra and speaker, music with poems by Sam Hunt
'Coming to It' was composed with Sam Hunt's performance poetry in mind (although the work can be played with other speakers). The music attempts to empathise with the spoken word while being able to stand alone at the same time.
Available from the composer


Opus 127Diary of a Madman: A dedication to Shostakovich (2006)
for orchestra
A collage of quotations from the Russian master, woven into a colourful fabric.
Available from the composer


Opus 56Flute Concerto (1993)
for solo flute and orchestra
An attractive, extrovert piece. Plenty of life and contrast. Piano reduction available also.
Available from the composer


Opus 138French Overture (2008)
for orchestra
A substantial overture using a slow fast slow structure. Written while the composer was visiting Paris.
Available from the composer


Opus 81From the Southern Marches (1997)
for solo SSTB, large choir and orchestra
This major work contains a mixture of musical and literary sources, and is eclectic in style. The choir has plenty to do, but none of it is too demanding technically. It is a work which transcends its regional origins.
Available from the composer


Opus 79Guitar Concerto (1997)
for guitar and orchestra
Unlike most guitar concertos this one is scored for full orchestra and is large in scale. Requiring amplification, the solo part nevertheless holds it's own against the orchestra. Likewise, the orchestra gets a decent play in a work of sparkling colour and ideas.
Available from the composer


Opus 65Journeys (1995)
for orchestra and schools groups
Journeys was a project with the aim of fostering interest in the orchestra and encouraging composition in schools.
Available from the composer


Opus 125Organ Overture (2006)
for organ and orchestra
A stormy and vibrant piece with a challenging organ part.
Available from the composer


Opus 141Portrait of FH (2009)
for orchestra
Symphonic work inspired by the media used by Frances Hodgkins - water-colours, oils and gouaches.
Available from the composer


Opus 134bRain (2008)
for baritone and orchestra
A lyrical and peaceful setting of the iconic poem by Hone Tuwhare.
Available from the composer


Opus 61Remember Parihaka (1994)
for orchestra
A short and evocative piece that commemorates the shameful events at Parihaka in 1881, where government troops forcibly took over a Maori Pa and sent many of its inhabitants to prison. Used as a high school resource, this piece is approachable and not difficult to perform.
Available from the composer


Opus 82Revelations (1998)
for orchestra
Inspired by a near-death experience, this tone-poem is full of colourful musical images and sharp contrasts of mood. It is sharp-edged in tone and challenging in performance.
Available from the composer


Opus 97Southern Journeys (2000)
for orchestra and film
The four movements of this 'visual symphony' describe landscapes and wildlife in the deep south of NZ. The evocative music compliments the stunning film by Natural History NZ, but can also stand by itself as a concert piece.
Available from the composer


Opus 59Symphony No. 1 "Boum" (1993)
for orchestra
This symphony in four movements encompasses a world of feelings and images, without being too demanding technically.
Available from the composer


Opus 95Symphony No.2 "The Widening Gyre" in three movements (1999)
for orchestra
This symphony explores the millenium theme from an historic and poetic angle. The 3 movements are energetic and demanding for the orchestra.
Available from the composer


Opus 37Te Hau-a-Kaiaua (1989)
for orchestra:
A short tone poem, describing a Maori myth in music. It is colourful in its orchestration, and contains elements of Maori music mixed with minimalist elements.
published by Wai-te-ata Press


Opus 36The Hanging Bulb (1989)
for orchestra
In four connected sections, this work is intense in mood and strong in its rhythms and melodic cells. A personal work, beautiful and sensitive, expressing the images of sadness and despair.
published by Massey University Press, 1999


Opus 62The Tuatara Dances (1994)
for orchestra
The Tuatara shakes off his passive past and moves to some contemporary dance rhythms. A lively and amusing piece, it incorporates elements of jazz and ethnic music alternating with the Tuatara theme, building to an exciting climax.
Available from the composer


Opus 85Theme and Variations: The Search (1998)
for orchestra
A dark and vivid work exploring the theme of searching. It provides plenty of instrumental solos but is never too demanding, technically.
Available from the composer


Opus 4Three Pieces for Strings (1980)
for string orchestra
Strongly astringent short pieces, featuring an expressive passacaglia based on a 12-note row.
Available from the composer


Opus 107Timeless Land (2003)
for orchestra
Timeless Land can be perforned as an orchestral piece alone, or in conjunction with a film by Natural History NZ and readings of texts by Brian Turner and Owen Marshall (If the latter is used, the duration of the work is approximtely 60 minutes).
Available from the composer


Opus 57Underwater Music (1993)
for orchestra
A colourful descriptive piece, imaginatively portraying seahorses, stingrays and dolphins.
Available from the composer


Opus 64Viola Concerto (1994-5)
for viola and orchestra
A personal work in 4 movements covering a range of moods. Lightly scored to let the viola speak.
Available from the composer


Opus 128Whalesong (2006)
for double bass and orchestra
A ten minute mini-concerto based on the song of the humpback whale.
Available from the composer


Opus 48Yet Another Poem of Spring (1991)
for orchestra
A short orchestral fanfare, lively and colourful, designed to open a concert.
Available from the composer