Written for Miranda Krestovnikoff. 

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Ian Stephens: Soliloquy for Miz 

I wrote this short piece as a birthday present for Miranda Krestovnikoff. I’ve known Miranda since we were students at Bristol University together – we sung in the same choirs and played in the same orchestras, and have remained friends ever since. She is a fine flautist.

Though it can be played on flute alone, ideally it should be played with the accompaniment of a drone on D, and also if possible on A. If both notes are sounded, D should be the lower note. The D should ideally be stronger than the A. The drone could be hummed and/or played on instruments. It should remain quiet throughout, fading out as specified in the score.

Premiered by Eleanor Gilchrist (violin) and David Price (piano) at Pigotts Music Camp, near High Wycombe, August 2012

Sheet music available to buy here

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Ian Stephens: Cipher Variations

I was commissioned to write Cipher Variations by my friend Lesley Smith, a scientist and good amateur violinist, as a present to herself on a significant birthday. It’s a set of variations on a 9-note theme derived through various processes from Lesley’s name. 

Sheet music available here

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Ian Stephens: Three Miniatures

Prelude
Celtic Elegy
Chapel House Dance

Prelude and Celtic Elegy were written for clarinettist Mandy Burvill (my wife) and cellist Joanna Lander, then both members of the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra, for performance in a variety of mental health settings in Liverpool, organized through the outreach department of the RLPO. I wrote Chapel House Dance in 2001 as a 70th birthday present for my dear Aunty Rachel. Mandy and I performed it as a surprise for her at her home, Chapel House, in Rivington, Lancashire, in March 2001.

Premiered by Zoe Allen and Caroline Ardron at Pigotts Music Camp, August 2014.

Sheet music (versions for flute duo and clarinet duo) is available here

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I wrote Two Hebridean Boat Songs as a present for my mother in March 2014. It combines her love of playing the flute, rowing, sailing and Scotland. It's an adaptation of two tunes from the Hebrides, a Rowing Song: Nam biodh agam coite bhiorach (If I had a sharp-prowed coracle), and a Sailing Song: Fail ò ro mar dh’fhàg sinn (Fal-o-ro, as we departed).