Christopher Painter - Composer

“his music takes nature in its many guises as a starting point,
often using it as a metaphor for the human condition”
Peter Reynolds
Born at Port Talbot in 1962, Christopher Painter studied composition at University College,
Cardiff with Alun Hoddinott. After receiving his M.Mus from Cardiff, he continued to study
privately with Hoddinott and also had consultations with Samuel Adler; George Benjamin;
Edward Gregson, John McCabe, Robert Saxton, Robert Simpson and Marek Stachowski. In
addition to his composition studies, he also took part in conducting workshops with Edward
Gregson, Stanley Saunders (University of Guelph, Canada), Rod Walker (University of Texas, USA)
and studied with both Christopher Adey and Alun Francis.
Symphony No.3 – first movement
"Christopher Painter is a well-known figure on the Welsh music scene but, of late, his music has
undergone a new and impressive transformation. In June, his substantial Third Symphony
marked him out as one of the real heavyweights on the Welsh music scene, endorsed by the
award of the Tlws y Cerddor medal at this year's Eisteddfod.
Spring of Vision was a substantial nineteen-minute piece for clarinet, violin and cello cast in a
continuous four-movement form, linked by cadenzas for the three instruments. The music had
inevitability, an absolutely natural sense of form and movement, and demonstrates that Painter
is at the top of his game at the present time."
Peter Reynolds (Review of "Spring of Vision" at the Machynlleth Festival)

SELECTED COMPOSITIONS
ORCHESTRA
Buried Light [1O']
solo violin & strings
Bugles Sang [18']
3/1 3/1 3/1 3/1 I 5• 4/1(4=crtlt 3 1 I T+5 I hp I stgs
Forest of Dreams [9']
3.3.3.3 1 4.3.3.1I T+41 hp I pno/cel I stgs
Furnace of Colours [36']
3/2(2=alt;3=picc] 2+1 2+1 2+1 2+1 14 4' 3 1 I T+4 I 2hp I eel I stgs I solo soprano • tpt 3 & 4 offstage
Invisible Cities [20']
5/3[3.4=picc;5=alt] 411 2+3 [3.4=Eb;5=bass) 4+1 16 4 3 1 I T+5 I 2hp I stgs Off-stage: - | 2 2 3 0 | - | -
Spirit Dances [18']
solo percussion & strings (optional dancer(s)]
Symphony No.3 [50']
3/2 2+1 2+1 2+1I 4 4 3 1 I T+4 I hp I pno/cel I stgs
BRASS ENSEMBLE
Ceremonies of Fire [10']
Brass Band
Fanfare for St Nicholas [2'] 4tpt 3 trb tba T+2 org
Fibonacci's Dream [12']
Brass Quintet
CHAMBER
Images in the Mist [12']
String quartet
Lunar Seas [8']
Saxophone quartet
Spring of Vision [20']
Clarinet, Violin & Cello

CHORAL
Ave Maria [4')
Solo soprano & SATB
Carol - Out of Your Sleep [4']
SATB &Organ
Carol - Out of Your Sleep [4']
TTBB & Organ
Carol - Out of Your Sleep [4']
SATB · 2 2 2 214 2/1(1=Eb] 3 1 I T+2 I hp I stgs
INSTRUMENTAL
Caneuon Taliesin [10')
Trumpet & piano
Clarinet Sonata [16']
Clarinet & piano
Gregynog Suite [26')
Solo harp
Hanes Taliesin [22']
Solo clarinet
Sonata for Alto Saxophone [18']
Alto saxophone & piano
WIND ORCHESTRA
The Broken Sea [25']
2+1 2+1 2+2[3=Eb;4=bass]2+1 I 2altsaxtensax barsax 144 31+1[2=euph) I T+3

MUSIC ON CD
Caneuon Taliesin – Philippe Schartz (trumpet)
Clarinet Sonata – Peryn Clement-Evans (clarinet)
Sonata for Alto Saxophone – Lara James (sax)
Lunar Seas – Lunar Saxophone Quartet
“Commissioning new works for wind orchestra is something of a lottery. However, I knew some
of Chris Painter's work, and felt confident that THE BROKEN SEA would be something special -
and it was. Unlike many composers, Chris took the wind genre seriously, avoiding stereotypical
clichés, avoiding patronising the medium and writing down. The work is a major addition to the
repertoire, a work not to be undertaken lightly, but so far, every wind orchestra that has tackled
it reports that it was an enormous success with players and audience. Tough, uncompro1nising,
it captures the flavour of the poem by Vernon Watkins and a stormy North Atlantic seascape to
perfection. This is a major addition to the contemporary wind orchestra repertoire.”
Dr. Timothy Reynish
"We've commissioned several chamber works from Chris over the years including music for
education, launch of a major venue and public performance. Always easy to work with, very
professional and ultimately great music."
Peryn Clement-Evans
Executive Officer and Artistic Director, Ensemble Cymru
www.christopherpainter.co.uk
https://soundcloud.com/christopher-painter