Chamber Music by Victor Davies
This page contains music for sale or rent (see buttons below each score or work). For perusal scores click Rent Score & Parts.
The works below have been performed on many kinds of concerts. For ideas about how to include them in your programming feel free to contact us.
Explanation of Instrumentation
ANERCA (a modern ballet) (1967) 10’
For violin, soprano (vocalise), percussion, piano=celeste.
Hunt; Morning; Old Song.
A contemporary ballet based on Inuit poetry.
Commissioned by Winnipeg’s Contemporary Dancers for CBC TV special.
Difficulty: university, professional
Score for sale (parts rental) also see Dance.
ART DECO FANTASY (for cello and piano) (1994) 11’
The spirit of Art Deco captured in this lyrical and rhythmic Gershwinesque piece.
Commissioned and premiered by Ofra Harnoy. Toronto Centre For The Arts Recital Hall February 26, 1994
Difficulty: University, professional.
Score and part for sale
AUTUMN DREAMS (for cello and piano) (1997) 4’
A nostalgic lyrical melodic piece.
Commissioned by Ian Hampton for Canada Music Week.
Premiered Vancouver Art Gallery Ian Hampton, cello, 1997.
Difficulty: suitable for student cellists and up. Many performances by Langley Community Music School students.
“Autumn Dreams” is one of the most successful pieces I’ve commissioned. I’ve since had a number of my students perform it and it is always received well. It is attractive, lyrical, clearly constructed. It’s language and technical demands are well within the realms of (Gr. 8 approx.) for an “intermediate student”. Ian Hampton - Artistic Director, Langley Community Music School.
BERCEUSE (For Livia) (2000) 3’
A lullaby for flute and guitar; or, flute and piano; or piano solo.
Commissioned by Theodore Arcand for the christening of his granddaughter Livia in the family chapel in Tuscany.
Difficulty: High school and up, grade 5 piano.
Scores and parts for sale.
THE COLOURS OF JAZZ (2003) 31’
Violin, viola, cello, bass and piano.
Jazz flavoured chamber music written to accompany montage of art sections (see Video) in the documentary film Persistance Of Vision about famous contemporary African American abstract painters and sculptors.
Crazy Rags 1’30” In The Alley 1’30”, Midnight Melancholy 1’30”,” Bebop Fiction 1’30”
Sweet Swing 1’30 (also Blues For Philly 1’30 (not used in film))
Difficulty: Good high school, university, professional
CONCERTO FOR TUBAMEISTER AND ORCHESTRA (2009) 22’
Piano (reduction of the orchestra score) & tuba.
Recital version of Concerto for Tubameister and Orchestra. Movements can be done as individual pieces.
Theme and Variations 12’; Waltz for Franco 4’; Sancho Panza Goes To The Bull Fight 7’.
Difficulty: University, professional.
Piano rehearsal/performance score and tuba part for sale.
For more information see Orchestra with solo.
CONTINENTS (1994) 30’
Flute, violin, cello, piano. All four players hum, sing, speak in rhythm, clap, stamp feet and also play
small percussion instruments - claves, maracas, triangle, suspended cymbal, bongos, cow bell.
Commissioned for the 1994 Commonwealth Games by Chamber Music Victoria, the work incorporates idioms of many Commonwealth countries: Indian ragas, Irish jigs, rhythms of Africa and the Caribbean, Aboriginal melodies and Canadian folk song. The six movements mirror the rhythms and times of the day.
Dawn 5’; Morning 4’; Midday 5’; Afternoon 4’; Evening 5’; Night 5’.
Premiere February 4 and 5, 1994; Martin Bonham, cello; Marylou Dawes, piano; Andrew Dawes, violin; Sally Harvey, flute.
Difficulty: university, professional.
“…..the reappearance of Victor Davies “Continents” was especially welcome. …this was an infectiously enthusiastic performance which understandably brought the audience to its feet.” Deryk Barker – Victoria Times Colonist. (Eine Kleine Summer Music 1, June, 1994)
EXCURSIONS (Visits to Manitoba Statues) (2002) 22’
For woodwind doubler (baritone sax, piccolo, flute, alto flute) and piano.
Musical encounters with well known Manitoba statues (real and imaginary!) associated with towns:
The Happy Rock Of Gladstone; The Garter Snake Of Inwood; Sarah The Glenboro Camel; The Mosquito Of Komarno; The Creature In The Lagoon At Grand Beach; The Lundar Goose Flies Over The Blarney Stone Of Killarney.
Commissioned by Duo A La Carte (Julie Husband and Heidi Peters) through the Manitoba Arts Council for school concerts.
Difficulty: university, professional.
Piano and woodwind part for sale.
FOR JENNIFER - REMEMBRANCES (1998) 31’
Violin, viola, cello and piano.
Prologue 1’; Bells 5’; Gardens 6’; Fountains 3’; Monuments 4’;
Memories Of Former Times 9’; Walking 3’; Epilogue 4’.
Commissioned by Theodore Arcand in memory of his wife Jennifer who loved Rome, it presents in sound,
impressions of The Eternal City.
Premiere: Valerie Tryon, piano; Marta Hidy, violin; Michael Schule, viola; Zdenek Konicek, cello, McMaster University September 1998.
Difficulty: very good high school, university, professional.
Score and parts for sale.
FOR THE MOMENT (1993) 3’
A lyrical nostalgic melody for piano solo.
The main theme from the film For The Moment. Also see Film and TV
Difficulty: Grade 4
Jack's Jive Death Of A Warrior
FUN FOR FOUR (String Quartet No. 1) (1980) 21’
Jazz, Latin, rock, blues, and ragtime combine in a mix of fun and melody for the player and audience alike within the framework of a traditional string quartet.
Disco-Bossa 7’; The Magic Carpet 5’; Blues-Ragtime 5; Mainstreet 4’.
Commissioned by the Orford Quartet for school concerts with the Ontario Arts Council.
Premiere: Festival Quartet (Arthur Polson, Eugene Kowalski – violins, Rennie Regehr – Viola, Brian Epperson – Cello) June 4, 1982, Winnipeg Art Gallery with CBC Radio broadcast, and TV broadcast (CKND-TV) Winnipeg.
Difficulty: very good high school, university, professional.
On the CDs Silhouettes and The Music Of Victor Davies (Festival Players Canada)
and Pulsations (Armin Electric Strings).
Score and parts for sale.
”It lives up to it’s title!“ William Littler - Toronto Star
GERSHWIN ARRANGEMENTS (1979)
Violin, cello solo, cello, piano. And Violin, cello, piano (Write or call)
GOOD TIMES (Suite for small orchestra) (1979) 22’
Flute, oboe, clarinet, bassoon, 2 trumpets, 2 horns, trombone, tuba, violin, viola, cello, bass.
Can be played with solo strings: (violin, viola, cello, bass) or a body of strings
Fugue/Waltz/Ragtime 7’; Prairie Landscapes 8’; Shaleen 5’; Butterfly Dance 4’.
Commissioned: Manitoba Educational Ensemble with the Manitoba Arts Council, for community concerts when a woodwind quintet, brass quintet and quartet of solo strings come together.
Suitable for university, community or professional orchestra/chamber concerts.
Difficulty: university, professional.
The Butterfly Dance is an often performed and popular piece on Classic FM in the UK.
Performances: Premiere Manitoba Educational Ensemble 1979, Winnipeg, and Manitoba tour, Hamilton Philharmonic Orchestra, Boris Brott conductor; Symphony Nova Scotia, Georg Tintner, conductor; Mississauga Symphony, John Barnum, conductor; East York Symphony; Scarborough Philharmonic; Brandon University Symphony; Niagara Symphony Orchestra; St. John Symphony Orchestra; Boris Brott Music Festival.
CBC broadcast recording 1986 Symphony Nova Scotia, Georg Tintner, conductor.
Score for sale (orchestra parts - rental) also see Orchestra
On the CD - The Mennonite Piano Concerto The London Symphony Orchestra, Boris Brott, conductor 1989.
“The four movements of the Good Times Suite also emphasizes Davies’ smiling conviction that life is beautiful. In this day and age that’s rare.” James Tircuit – Fanfare Magazine
“Then came Good Times, and very good they were, too. The composer, Davies,..has a delightful melodic gift that’s allied to a broad and beautifully timed sense of humor. …a finely crafted piece“. Hugh Fraser - Hamilton Spectator
JAZZ CONCERTO FOR ORGAN & ORCHESTRA
(The St. Andrew's - Wesley Concerto) (2000) 28’
Solo organ part and piano (reduction of orchestral score) 2 copies needed for performance
Boogie Pipes 9’; Blue Pipes 5’; Cool Pipes 6’; Hot Pipes (Ragging the Pipes!) 8’.
Difficulty: very good university, professional
Organ solo/piano accompaniment (performance/rehearsal score) for sale.
For more information see Orchestra with solo or click on title above.
Boogie Pipes Blue Pipes Hot Pipes
A JAZZ PIANO CONCERTO (Piano concerto No 2.) (2001) 29’
Solo piano part and piano 2 (reduction of orchestral score) 2 copies needed for performance
Theme With Nine Scenes (A Detective Story) 16’; I Thought I Saw Them In Paris (Sorbet) 6’; Escape To Havana (Farewell) 7’.
Difficulty: very good university, professional
Piano/piano accompaniment (performance/rehearsal score) for sale.
For more information see Orchestra with solo or click on title above.
Theme 9 with Scenes 1 Theme 9 with Scenes 2
The LANGLEY TRIO (piano trio No. 2) (2004) 8’
For violin, cello and piano.
Crazy Rags 2’, In The Alley 2’, Midnight Melancholy 2’, Sweet Swing 2’.
Commissioned by Langley Community Music School, Ian Hampton Artistic Director for Canada Music Week 2004.
Dedicated to the students of the school.
Difficulty: good high school, university, professional
Score and parts for sale.
“Your Langley Trio was played quite recently we’ve trotted it out several times and the kids enjoy it – so does the audience.” Ian Hampton - Artistic Director, Langley Community Music School.
THE MENNONITE PIANO CONCERTO (Piano concerto No.1) (1975) 32’
Two pianos/four hands. (Piano 1 - solo, piano 2 - reduction of orchestra score.) 2 copies needed for performance
Sonata 11’; Theme and Variations 14’; Rondo/Scherzo 7’.
Difficulty: Very good high school, university, professional.
Often played in church and community settings in this configuration.
For more information see Orchestra with solo or click on title above.
Piano/piano accompaniment (performance/rehearsal score) for sale. (reduction by Suzanne Davies)
On the CD – The Mennonite Piano Concerto
Sonata Theme & Variations Rondo
MERCURY’S WINGS (Three Movements For Percussion and Piano) (1962) 15’
For 4 percussion players and piano
Three colourful movements for high school players and up using easily obtainable instruments.
Concertante, Pastoral, Rondo.
Premiere: Indiana University, August 7, 1962, Jack Gilfoy, Gary Elliot, Gregory Murphy, Richard Wiener – percussion, Carol Horn – piano, conductor – Victor Davies.
THE MUSICAL CIRCUS (1981) 12-14’
A musical theatre entertainment for soprano, dancers, musician/actors as animals: violin (snake); viola (monkey); cello (elephant); guitar (peacock); horn (lion); percussion (bear); accordion (zebra); and harp. The musicians/animals stage a revolt against the ringmaster (conductor) (the soprano) but are charmed into submission by the mechanical harp.
Difficulty: university, professional.
Commissioned by Sound Stage Canada for the Zagreb Biennial, Lewis Lehman, director.
Performed in Toronto and on tour in Yugoslavia, Bulgaria, Rumania and Austria
Rhombus Media CBC TV special.
Musicians play off score – rental.
“...it was a rarity, a contemporary piece with tunes one could whistle...entertainment for children of all ages...”
John Kragland - The Globe & Mail
RHAPSODY (Four Dances for Strings) (1998) 21’
String orchestration of string quartet Fun For Four. Violin 1 and 2, Viola, Cello, Bass.
Disco-Bossa 7’; The Magic Carpet 5’; Blues-Ragtime 5’; Mainstreet 4’.
Jazz, Latin, rock, blues, ragtime, and salon flavours combine in a mix of fun and melody for players and audience.
Difficulty: Very good high school, university, professional.
Premiere: Hamilton Philharmonic Orchestra, Michael Reason, conductor, April, 1999; also McGill Chamber Orchestra, Boris Brott, conductor (Montreal); FACE Chamber Orchestra (Montreal) Theodora Stathopoulos, conductor, European tour; Montreal Chamber Orchestra.
Score for sale (orchestra parts - rental)
Fun For Four on the CD’s Music of Victor Davies and Silhouettes
SILHOUETTES (Piano Trio No. 1) (1988) 23’
Four Art Deco moods for piano, cello, violin.
Night Shadows 7’; Perfume Bottles 6’; Tango 4’; City Lights 6’.
Commissioned by The Canadian Piano Trio.
Difficulty: Very good high school, university, professional.
Premiere: Festival Players Canada, November 12 1988 (Vancouver); Friends of the Toronto Symphony chamber music series January 27, 1992; Chamber Music Victoria (BC); chamber series of the Philadelphia Orchestra (2000); Vandermark Ensemble, Carnegie Hall (Feb 2005), Toshiko Tampo Trio, Tokyo (2008).
Score and parts for sale.
On the CDs – Silhouettes and The Music Of Victor Davies
“...a deliciously jazzy trio.” Ray Chatelin - Vancouver Province
SHADES OF GRAY 12’
For clarinet and piano (in preparation)
Indianapolis; Bloomington; St. Louis; Hollywood!
THREE SONGS ON POEMS BY WALT WHITMAN (1962) 9’
Baritone, trumpet, horn, trombone, 2 percussion, double bass.
Look Down Pale Moon; Crossing The Ford; Year That Trembled And Reeled Beneath Me.
Difficulty: university, professional.
Premiere: Indiana University, May 1965. David Arnold, baritone, Peter Bagley, conductor.
Rehearsal piano part, score for sale (orchestra parts - rental) also see Vocal
TOOTH FAIRY WHERE ARE YOU? 3’
2 lyrical piano solos - Waltz and Theme from the animated TV special.
Difficulty: grade 4 - 5 piano.
YUKON SCENES (1985) 19’
For flute and piano; or flute, piano and percussion; also flute and chamber orchestra (amplified flute in Ice Crystals).
The spirit of the Yukon captured in four sonic picture post cards, echoes of the land, Gold Rush and the people.
Spring Flowers 4’; Kate 1898 4’; Ice Crystals 5’; Rendezvous 4’.
Difficulty: very good high school, university, professional orchestra and soloist.
Suitable for very good high school, university, professional orchestra and soloist. Concert featuring orchestra players.
Commissioned by the Yukon Arts Council and Bonnie Jones and premiered with piano by Bonnie Jones, Whitehorse, Yukon, June, 1986.
Also performances by Kathleen Rudolph flute, John Rudolf percussion; Donelda Gartshore, flute.
Piano and flute part; and piano, flute and percussion parts and orchestral study score for sale (orchestra parts – rental) also see Orchestra With Solo or click on title above.
On the CD - Silhouettes
“..transports us through the wonders of the Yukon’s landscape, blending .jazz to rock and roll and classical....” Ingrid Gagnon - Kingston Whig Standard
Spring Flowers Ice Crystals Kate 1898 Rendezvous