chamber music
Queen moment of joy (2024) for voice and piano
Text by Jamila Soibiri.
Duration 5”
Commissioned by Civic Opera Creations for Volksoper.
Premiered by Ben Connor, baritone at the Volksoper.
Choice (2024) for voice and piano
Text by Louie Ulric.
Duration 5”
Commissioned by Civic Opera Creations for Volksoper.
Premiered by Ben Connor, baritone at the Volksoper.
Ariadne’s Air (2023) for voice and piano
“Lawson’s haunting, impactful music and Szesiong Todd’s lucid and lyrical libretto are a complementary marriage. And the incorporation of pianist as Minotaur, whose ominous expression is sporadically heard but unseen until turning the corner into the final space, is an ingenious conceit.”
From Labyrinth.
Text by Daniel Szesiong Todd.
For Teresa Ingrilli.
Duration 6”
For Soprano voice and piano.
I see you (2023) for 3 part choir and soprano saxophone or clarinet
Text by Claire Tipy.
Dedicated to Ryan Lynch.
Duration 10”
Voices can be divided in a standard SAB combination, or into 3 groups of high, medium and low voices.
Memory Study (2023) for piano
Dedicated to Dean Sky-Lucas.
Duration 10”
Echoes from the Labyrinth (2022) for ensemble
Duration 10”
For Flute, Clarinet, Violin, Viola & Cello
Commissioned by IntAct Festival.
World premiere performance by Tacet(i) Ensemble as part of IntAct Festival, December 2022 Bangkok Arts & Culture Centre, Thailand.
Australian premiere performance by Homophonic as part of Midsumma Festival, January 2023 La Mama Theatre.
Sun Cycles (2022) concerto grosso for piano, electric HARP, PERCUSSIONIST AND ensemble
Dedicated to Anastasia Ryan.
Duration 10”
Sunset
Night Music
Sunrise
For Flute/Alto Flute, Soprano Saxophone, Alto Saxophone, Horn, Trombone, Percussion concertino, Piano concertino, Electric Harp concertino, Electric Violin, Cello & Double Bass.
Commissioned by Forest Collective.
Premiered by Forest Collective at their 2022 performance Sun Songs & Cycles 18 - 20 November 2022, Abbotsford Convent.
On obtaining life from the heavens (2022) for ensemble
Written for Jessica Fotinos.
The Heavens
The Hades
The Pact of Life
A Catalogue of Temptations
De Vita (wine, air & music)
For Flute, Clarinet, Harp & two Percussionists (bass drum, side drum, vibraphone, crotales, tam-tam, mark tree & bell tree)
Tides (2022) for electronics and ensemble
Dedicated to Harriet Gregory
Duration 28”
Prelude (electronics)
Swell
Duet
Interlude (electronics)
Birdcall
Rockpool
For Clarinet/Bass Clarinet and optional Cor Anglais, Trombone, Percussion (bass drum & Vibraphone), Cello and electronics
Commissioned by Forest Collective.
Premiered by Forest Collective at Tides June 2022, Abbotsford Convent.
After the long night / Gowidja djirrunga dhala (2022) for voice
Written for, with text by Deborah Cheetham AO.
Dedicated to Jesse Matthews on his birthday.
Durtion 7”
Commissioned by Midsumma Festival.
World premiere performance February 2022 at Melbourne Pride, performed by Deborah Cheetham AO.
Vois (2021) for two voices and soprano saxophone
Text by Claire Tippy
Duration 10”
For High voice, low voice, S.Sax.
Commissioned by Festival d’Aix-en-Provence.
Premiered online in 2021, developed and recorded in Aix-en-Provence, directed by Geordie Brookman.
Rendering (2020) for voice
Written for Frances Kruske
Duration 10”
After (2020) for piano
Dedicated to Danae Killian
Duration 6”
World premiere performance July, 2020, online by Danaë Killian.
Share (2019) for two saxophones
Duration 8”
Meditations (2019-2021) for violin
Dedicated to Isabel Hede & Helen Bower
Duration 20”
World premiere performance by Helen Bower November 2022, Abbotsford Convent
The Voice of Hades (2019) for two bass wind instruments
Written for Ryan Williams.
Duration 10”
World premiere performance February 2019, Abbotsford Convent, Abbotsford, Melbourne, Australia by Ryan Williams and Erica Tucceri as part of Orpheus.
USA premiere performance June 2019, Imagined Art Space, Austin, Texas, by Francois Minaux and Sarah Hetrick as part of Orpheus.
Unfolding (2018) for basset recorder or any mid-range wind instrument
Written for Ryan Williams.
Duration 6”
World premiere performance March 2018, St. Stephen's Church, Richmond, Melbourne, Australia by Ryan Williams.
Thriambus (2017-18) for harp
Written for Jessica Fotinos.
Duration 13”
World premiere performance April 15, 2018, Jinji Lake Concert Hall, Suzhou, China by Jessica Fotinos.
Australian premiere performance July 6 & 7, 2018 with Forest Collective Melbourne, Australia by Jessica Fotinos.
Ballad of Antinous (2017) for voice and ensemble
Dedicated to Justine Anderson & Peter Neville.
Duration 15”
Text by Nicole Butcher
Sop. Hp. Pno./Cel. 4Perc. (Vbs. Mrmb. Crtls. Glock. T.Bel.)
Premiered 27 October 2017 by the Melbourne Conservatorium of Music percussion department, Justine Anderson soprano, and conducted by Guy de Blet.
Mermeros & Pheres (2017) for two piccolo's, or equivalent high wind instrument
Dedicated to Naomi Johnson.
Duration 6.3”
Crown of Phtheírein (2017) for marimba
Duration 6”
Commissioned by Crystal Chu.
World premiere performance by Crystal Chu 17 May 2017, UO Beall Concert Hall, Univeristy of Oregon, U.S.A.
Himeros I (2016) for ensemble
Dedicated to Georgia Royes
Duration 15”
Fl./A.Fl. Cl./B.Cl. Tpt. Trbn. Perc. (3Tom-Toms) Pno. Vln. Vlc. D.B.
Also a version for Fl./A.Fl. Tpt. Perc. (3Tom-Toms) Pno. Vln. Vlc. D.B.
Commissioned by Forest Collective.
Premiered by Forest Collective, conducted by the composer at the Metropolis New Music Festival, Melbourne Recital Centre May 2016
Sikinnis IV (2016) for violin, cello and piano
Dedicated to Stephanie Arnold.
Duration 6”
Pno. Vln. Vlc.
Threnoi (2015-18) for flute and percussion
Duration 15"
Each movement can be played individually;
Threnoi I (2015) for flute *Written for Tanya Vincent dur. 5"
Threnoi II (2015) for melody instrument and percussion (envelopes, opera gong, marimba, random assortment of tea cups and saucers) dur. 5"
Premiered by Edges Duo (Crystal Chu percussion and Steve Sharpe flugelhorn) at the University of Oregon, U.S.A. 1st December 2015.
Written while a Bayside Artist in Residence, Bayside City Council.
Sikinnis III (2015) for piano
Duration 5"
Written while a Bayside Artist in Residence, Bayside City Council
“These extremes are furthered by Sikinnis III (2015), composed by Evan Lawson, which exhibits dramatic registral shifts in a vigorous work exploring ideas of dance, joy, and sexuality. The dramatic pause Killian holds at the conclusion of this engrossing composition has the audience caught in the piano’s resonances.”
Premiered by Danae Killian at St. Stephen's Church, Melbourne 29 September, 2017.
Also performed by Danae Killian at Montsalvat, Melbourne for the Melbourne Composers League 12 November, 2017.
In the Red Fire of Passion (2015) for voice, flute and harp
Dedicated to Igor Mihajlovic
Text by Oscar Wilde, from The Duchess of Padua
Duration 15”
For Flute, Soprano voice, and Harp.
Also a version for Alto Flute, Mezzo-Soprano voice, and Harp.
Commissioned by SoundSCAPE New Music Festival, Italy
Premiered by Cochlea Duo and Katelyn Isaacson, Soprano July 2015
Written while a Bayside Artist in Residence, Bayside City Council.
Australian premiere performance by Rosemary Ball Soprano, Tanya Vincent Flute and Jessica Fotinos Harp as a part of the 2016 Forest Collective concert series.
U.K. premiere performance by The Erda Ensemble, Marta Fontanals-Simmons (mezzo-soprano), Chloë Vincent (flute) and Olivia Jageurs (harp), 14 September 2024.
Orpheus and the Cave (2015) for 2 voices and 2 ensembles
Dedicated to Benjamin Northey
Text derived from the libretto of Orfeo ed Euridice, Ranieri de' Calzabigi and L'Orfeo, Alessandro Striggio.
Duration 15”
Fl. Cl. B.Cl. 2 voices Hp. 3Vln./Vla. Perc. (B.D. Gng. Wind Chimes)
Also a version for Fl./Pic./A.Fl./B.Fl. Cl. S.Rec./A.Rec/C.B.Rec/B.Rec. 2 voices Perc. (B.D. Gng. Tri. Wind chimes) Hp. Pno. Vln. Vla. V.Cel. D.B.
Commissioned by Forest Collective.
Premiered by Forest Collective at their 2015 concert Moonfall May 2015 at Melbourne Recital Centre as a part of the Metropolis New Music Festival, Rosemary Ball & Teresa Duddy soprano solos, conducted by the composer.
Written while a Bayside Artist in Residence, Bayside City Council
Also performed by Forest Collective at their 2018 concert Berceuse at Church of All Nations, Daniel Szesiong Todd tenor & Aleise Bright soprano
“...Lawson’s usual lush sound palette is stripped back and spread about the room. The spatial distribution of the ensemble is some of the most effective that I have heard.”
“Another standout moment in tonight’s program is Evan’s Part III from Orpheus for two voices and ensemble.”
…I know now… (2014) for 3 voices and ensemble
Dedicated to the memory of Joe Waterman.
Text from The Winter’s Tale by William Shakespeare.
Duration 11”
2Sop. Mez.Sop. Hp. 2Vln. Vla. Vlc. D.B.
Commissioned by Forest Collective.
Premiered by Forest Collective at their 2014 concert Flooding in the Garden December 2014, Rosemary Ball, Stefanie Dingnis & Christine Storey soprano soloists
“The premier of Lawson’s Winter Canticle proved the highpoint of the evening. Violin and harp created the texture of feet treading lightly on the forest floor while voices, starting softly, gradually increased in intensity to form whispers of text from Shakespeare’s A Winter’s Tale. While experimental, the music was by no means difficult on the ear, and the various layers of fricatives, half-formed words, soaring high notes and interjections from the ensemble were impressively executed with dramatic effect.”
“The piece is a reworking of previous material, taking the emotional structure of Shakespeare’s The Winter’s Tale as a formal basis. An introductory episode of drones and vocalises gives way to an astounding rhythmic explosion. The three vocalists declare “Winter!” as febrile string phrases scurry about. The voices speak and whisper phrases from the play in an emotional polyphony, accompanied by energetic scrubbing in the strings. Lawson has learnt well from his twentieth-century heroes including Britten and Vaughan Williams; even at its dynamic peak the ensemble is always colourful, transparent and mobile.”
Sikinnis II (2012, rev. 2014) for flute, viola and harp
In 3 movements
Duration 12”
“Evan Lawson’s Skinnis for Flute, Viola and Harp (now on its second outing) was the only piece to utilise the harp’s majestic glissandi and full, ringing chords. These kitschy effects were welcome after the crystal-clear articulation and motoric effects of the “bean-counting harp.”
Commissioned by Judy and Peter Johnson in dedication for Claire Johnson’s completion of her P.H.D.
Premiered by Petrichore at the Forest Collective performance Shared Sounds April 6 and 7, 2013.
Also performed by Petrichore at Conduit Arts Space, May 22, 2013 and at Medley Hall, August, 2013
Let the Rivers Die Down (2012) for Choir and Piano
Dedicated to Jessica King.
Duration 6”
Text from an ancient Greek Hymn
For SA Choir and Piano.
Commissioned by the Australian Children's Choir.
Circe & the Ballad of Melierax (2011) for ensemble
Duration 7:30”
Fl./Picc. Cl. Pno. Vln. Vlc.
Premiered by Syzygy Ensemble, August 2011 at Kingston Arts Centre
Gypsy (2011) for clarinet
Dedicated to Megan Clune.
Duration 6”
Premiered by Megan Clune, in Sydney September 2012 at Alaska Projects
Dithyramb (2010) for violin
Dedicated to Isabel Hede.
Duration 9”
“...a remarkable solo...”
Premiered by Isabel Hede Forest Collectives 2010 concert series.
Also performed by Katroina Tsyrlin at the VCA in 2010 and Abbotsford Convent, Melbourne July, 2013
Sikinnis I (2010) for flute
Dedicated to Johanna Selleck.
Duration 10”
Premiered by Tamara Kohler at Forest Collective’s Songs for Satyrs and Gods Richmond Uniting Church, Melbourne May, 2011
Performed by Naomi Johnson at The Garden of Ice Melbourne Recital Centre 4 April, 2014.
And performed by Naomi Johnson at Sound Scape New Music Festival, Maccagno, Italy July, 2014
Sequenza & Song (2009) for flute, violin and piano
Written for Clara McKay
Duration 6”
Premiered at Victorian College of the Arts, November 2009
Ballad of the Crying Satyr (2008) for voice and ensemble
Text by the composer.
Duration 12”
Fl./Picc. Cl. Bsn. Pno./Cel. Hp. Bari. Vln. Vlc.
Premiere performance sung by the composer, conducted by Christine Storey, at VCA November 2008.
Also performed by Joe Coghlan, November 2010, at VCA, conducted by the composer.
And by Forest Collective, May 2011, sung by the composer and conducted by Louis Sharpe