Celebration of Life (2021)
5 minutes
for string orchestra

Commissioned by Diané Ranck in celebration of her Uncle Ewald's 90th birthday.

First performance (quartet version) by students from Immanuel College, Adelaide, as part of the 90th birthday celebrations for Diané's Uncle Ewald.

Celebration of Life was commissioned by my good friend and lover of the arts, ​Diané Ranck, for her favourite uncle's 90th birthday. The request was for something joyful, exuberant and full of non-stop energy.

The original version of the work, made to facilitate performance by student performers known to Diané, was for the unusual string quartet combination of Violin, Viola, Cello and Double Bass. The following year I made this arrangement of the work, fleshing out the ideas and textures for string orchestra.

The work features a catchy melody that twists and turns its way through all the instrumental parts, along with a driving and unrelenting momentum, vibrant textures, and some string-based percussion. It is intended to be suitable for intermediate and above level high school string orchestras.

​Please contact the composer if you are after more information.