Programme Notes: Piano
Catriona’s Waltz Opus 6
My first composition in Luxembourg, a short and wistful waltz.
Leudelange, Luxembourg, August 1983
Carnon Suite Opus 8
Written on holiday, there are five evocative movements:
1: Close Dusk on the Lake
2: The House on the Lake
3: Hotel Le Dauphin
4: In the Sun
5: Old Castle
Carnon, South of France, 1984
Three Little Pieces Opus 9
- entitled Whurrl (a spicy Scottish dessert!), Lament and Jig
Strassen, Luxembourg, June 1985
Piano Sonata No 1 Opus 10
An early work, and I’m trying to flap my wings in various directions ..... I played this at the first ever concert of my music, in Luxembourg in 1989
1: In Blue
2: Autumn Boulevard
3: Survivors’ Party Blues
4. Luxembourg Late-Night
Strassen, Luxembourg, 1984-5
Kate Emily Go to Sleep
A lullaby for my new-born daughter Kate, part of an ever-growing series: Music for Babies (nearly every piece since 1986 is classified under ‘Opus 11’) in which every new-born (family, friends) gets his or her own lullaby, based on the rhythm of the name - often within an hour or two of the birth.
Leudelange, Luxembourg, 1986
Amelia
Peaceful music for my new-born daughter Amelia, part of an ever-growing series: Music for Babies (nearly every piece since 1986 is classified under ‘Opus 11’) in which every new-born (family, friends) gets his or her own lullaby, based on the rhythm of the name - often within an hour or two of the birth.
Leudelange, Luxembourg, 1989
An Unterwald Suite Opus 13
These short, experimental pieces, written in a sitting during a thunderstorm in Tirol, were an important stage in my realisation that I had to compose.
Haus Unterwald, Tirol, Austria 1988
Images Opus 14
Four fleeting piano pieces:
1. Russian Echo
2. Fugitive 1
3. Vision
4. Fugitive 2
Leudelange, Luxembourg, 1988
Twenty-Four Preludes for Piano Book 1 Opus 19
Twenty-four Preludes, one for each key. Book 1 of my ’48'
Recorded in Brussels by Leonardo Anglani, with Twelve Variations on 'Ffarwél i Aberystwyth' AVK 002. Published by Alain Van Kerckhoven, Editeur, Brussels
Leudelange, Luxembourg, 1988
Piano Sonata No 2 Opus 20
Sadly, an outburst of sheer anger, written in one session before a choral rehearsal.
Kirchberg, Luxembourg, 1988
Lessons with Kate Opus 21
Teaching material composed especially for my daughter Kate.
Leudelange, Luxembourg, 1992 - 1996
January Sketches Opus 25
A lightly blue and anxious entry into a new and unknown year.
Leudelange, Luxembourg, 1989
Irish Mist Opus 27
An evocative ‘Irish’ theme … which never seems to want to stop ...
Leudelange, Luxembourg, 1989
Two Pieces for Piano Opus 28
Two very short pieces for piano, the first in two part counterpoint, the second a lilting slow waltz.
Leudelange, Luxembourg, 1989
Llanberis Suite Opus 29
Evocations of the village in which I was fortunate enough to be born, Llanberis.
1. Yng Nghae Padarn / In Padarn Field. 2. Carreg Wen / White Rock 3. Pennant
4. Eglwys St. Padarn / St. Padarn’s Church 5. Bwlch Llanberis / Llanberis Pass
6. Castell Dolbadarn / Dolbadarn Castle 7. Gorsaf Yr Wyddfa / Snowdon Station
Leudelange, Luxembourg, 1989
From the Highest Spire Opus 31
‘From the highest spire of contentment my fortune is thrown.’ (John Dowland)
Leudelange, Luxembourg, 1989
Songs of Regret for Piano Opus 38
In effect ‘songs without words’ …
1. Tomorrow 2. Close Light 3. Mist in My Eyes
4. Mist in Your Eyes 5. Sad Song 6. Cariad
7. In G 8. Unfinished Dream
Leudelange, Luxembourg, 1989
Twelve Nocturnes Opus 39
Fundamentally uneasy music, written late at night in the summer of 1989.
Leudelange, Luxembourg, 1989
Variations on a Theme Discovered in Prague Opus 41
The melody was composed on beermats, one idyllic spring afternoon in Prague, just after the Revolution …
Prague and Kirchberg, Luxembourg, 1990
Songs for Piano Opus 47
At times cinematic, a collection of ‘Songs without Words’ ….
1. Summer Isle 2. Lullaby 3. Day. 4. After Prague 5. Standing Back. 6. Morning Song 7. Again
Leudelange, Luxembourg, 1991
Twelve Variations on 'Ffarwél i Aberystwyth' Opus 59
I play with fragments of the well-known melody (Farewell to Aberystwyth) before arriving at the complete theme just before the end. Another version, similar treatment but for two guitars, was recorded and performed in Wales and throughout South America by the Welsh-Argentine Guitar Duo.
Published by Alain Van Kerckhoven, Editeur, Brussels. Recorded in Brussels by Leonardo Anglani, with Twenty Four Preludes, Opus 19 AVK 002. A further recording by Mireille Gleizes.
Dedicated to Leonardo Anglani
Kirchberg, Luxembourg, 1992
Heddwch Opus 70
Heddwch is the Welsh word for peace, which I wish for my father with this music, written just after his death in 1974.
Mersch, Luxembourg, 1994
Lleuad Llyn Padarn Opus 75
Moonlight on the lake (Padarn Lake, Llanberis, Wales), seen at the end of my first summer in Fachwen. A nearby Welsh poet called me at 0100 and told me to get up and write some music. He wrote a poem. A deliberate resemblance, for sure, to the Moonlight Sonata but with the organ in St. Padarn’s Church ringing out across the lake .
Fachwen, Wales, Summer 1994
Rondo - Sarabande Opus 77
A collision of two worlds, styles and expressions.
Mersch, Luxembourg, February 1995
April Anniversary Opus 80
Written on the first anniversary of the death of my father.
Mersch, Luxembourg, 1995
Twenty Four Preludes for Piano Book 2 Opus 85
Twenty-four Preludes, one for each key. Book 2 of my ’48’
Fachwen, Wales, 1995
Fantasia Opus 86
An extended Fantasia for Piano, incorporating a popular Luxembourgish song
Mersch, Luxembourg, 1995
A Rhiw Suite Opus 95
Evocations of the still, bleak beauty found at Rhiw on the Llŷn Peninsula in North Wales, and visits to family there. My great-uncle was the Rector of the Church in Rhiw. There are five movements
Fachwen, Wales, 1996
Six Intermezzi Opus 96
One of my favourite sets! The 1st is lyrical, with interruptions; the 2nd wistful, but strong; the 3rd has slow-moving chords; the 4th consists of a restless, obsessive ostinato figure; the 5th an overall climactic piece in which each bar is climactic in itself and finally the 6th, in my favourite key of Db major, offers broad, expansive lyricism.
Buschdorf, Luxembourg, 1996
Variation Opus 102
A short, ever-changing variation on parts of the Welsh National Anthem. More than a hint jazz.
Buschdorf, Luxembourg, 1997
Three Intermezzi Opus 108
Different moods, different colours …
Buschdorf, Luxembourg, 1997
Three Pieces for Piano Opus 111
The 1st moves forward, as does the 2nd but in a more questioning near-atonal way. The final piece is chordal, almost frozen.
Buschdorf, Luxembourg, 1998
Sŵn y Llyn Opus 112
Inspired by a walk on the beach at Dinas Dinlle, an evocation of Sŵn y Llyn, my then beautiful and spectacular home in Wales.
Dinas Dinlle and Fachwen, Wales, 1998
Three Sketches Opus 116
The 1st is somewhat disjointed and chordal, the 2nd has a repetitive figure int eh right hand, and a dialogue between various motifs in the left. Tge final piece is short and serene.
Buschdorf, Luxembourg, 1998
Fanfare for New Time Opus 124
I was determined to write something during the first minutes of a new millennium, and here it is, a short fanfare for piano!
Fachwen, Wales, New Year’s Eve 1999 - 2000
From the Diary of One Who Never Was Opus 128
Five Short Pieces perhaps best explained by the title.
Canach, Luxembourg, 2000
Bossa Nova Galês Opus 165
An extended fantasia, a Welsh Bossa Nova ….. including the world famous hit 'The Girl from Llanberis' !!!
Canach, Luxembourg, 2006
Dedicated to the Brazilian concert pianist, Antonio Eduardo, who premiered it in Brazil and then performed it throughout South America.
Sonata Latina Opus 166
Tango, Bossa Chorale and Samba Finale. Stylistic experiments.
Fachwen, Wales. 2007
Dedicated to the Brazilian pianist Antonio Eduardo
Mosella Opus 184
... a short jazz-based fantasia based on the 'national anthem' of the Moselland.
Canach, Luxembourg, 2008
Dedicated to Inge and Dieter Schlagkamp in Senheim.
Four Fragments Opus 203
Short, exporatory sketches.
Canach, Luxembourg, 2012
Variations on a Welsh Lovesong Opus 215
The wonderful song is called ‘Mae 'nghariad i’n Fenws’ - My beloved is a Venus!
Hinterthal, Austria, 2013
Ein Jahresbuch für Klavier - A Yearbook for Piano Opus 221
A set of 12 pieces, which try to reflect the character of each calendar month
Canach, Luxembourg, 2013
Festina Lente (Malagueña) Opus 225
Written under a lemon tree at the house of Spanish friends in Andalusia
Nerja, Spain and Canach, Luxembourg, 2014
Dedicated to Antonia and Enrique
Souvenir d’Autriche / Dream Fragments Opus 230
A waking dream, typical melodic fragments and styles emerge, evolve …
Hinterthal, Austria, 2014
Abschied vom Tannenbaum Opus 233
... as the dream of Christmas fades ... eight short variations.
Hinterthal, Austria, 2014
Gaudete Opus 244
A Christmas Variation, written for Noel Morgan
Hinterthal, Austria, 2014
Roman Graves Opus 254
The first music I wrote in Senheim. I recorded these five short pieces in May 2016, in Trier. They are meditations on passing time and grief. The Roman graves are on the opposite bank of the the Mosel, at the top of a hill. One of them is the grave of a child.
Senheim, Germany, 2016
Four Russian Vignettes Opus 288
Written in 2019 or was it 1909 .... ? Opulent lyrical music ‘in the Russian style.’
Senheim, Germany, 2019
Six Russian Sketches Opus 290
Short pieces in Russian styles.
Senheim, Germany, 2019
Six Austrian Sketches Opus 292
A reworking of various elements in Austrian music.
Hinterthal, Austria, 2019
Im Verborgenen: Four Hidden Pieces Opus 295
... from a mysterious painting by the Austrian artist Georg Schreder.
Hinterthal, Austria, 2019
Fantasia ‘Der Engel des Herrn' Opus 297
Melody: Volksgut Oberbayern - Salzburg. Written and recorded 23-24 December, 2019
Senheim, Germany, 2019
Para Carlotta Opus 299
Para Carlotta ... For Carlotta …
Senheim, Germany, 2020
Messages Opus 302
Ambiguous. restless, tentative, questioning - the mood of the first Covid lockdown in 2020
Senheim, Germany, 2020
Evelyn Flora Opus 309
A piano Lullaby for my new-born grand-daughter.
Senheim, Germany, 2021
Lullaby for Evelyn and Kate Opus 310
for my new-born grand-daughter and her mother.
Senheim, Germany, 2021
And Mary Said Unto Mary Opus 319
A meditation.
On the Schönfeldspitze in Pinzgau the cross was formed from a wooden carving of Mary holding Jesus, two figures - one vertical, one horizontal. It needed to replaced after a storm. Prior to the installation on the summit, both Marys, old and new, were placed together in the workshop where the new figure was created. This music speculates as to possible exchanges between the old, weather-worn Pietà and the fresh, new one.
Hinterthal, Austria, 2021
From An Old Austrian Clock Opus 320
Five short pieces, messages in a way from my Old Austrian Clock (1750) which became irregular and sporadic before returning to its former glory after a major overhaul. Happy Alphorns celebrate the restoration in the final piece.
Hinterthal, Austria, 2021
Christmas Eve Opus 326
A simple short piece, reflecting the simple pleasure of warmth, cosiness and Christmas lights. Kaminmusik ...
Senheim, Germany, Christmas Eve 2021
Herbie Grayson Opus 327
Part of an ever-growing series: Music for Babies in which every new-born (family, friends) gets his or her own lullaby, based on the rhythm of the name - often within an hour or two of the birth.
Senheim, Germany, 2022
Glory to Ukraine Opus 328a
'Glory to Ukraine' is so called because I use phrases from the Ukrainian national anthem to form different musical structures. Written in a few days at the end of March 2022, this my necessary response to the terrible Russian war of aggression and is closely related to my String Quartet of the same name.
Chiddingly, Hove, England, Senheim, Germany, 2022
Deadwater Lament Opus 329
Returning to the South of France after some decades, I sat in the Square at Aigues Mortes and listened to the relentless tolling of an ancient funeral bell. I wondered whose life was being summarised in the gaps between each strike, and had the idea to put snapshots of my own time in the area between the bell notes. I quote here from my Carnon Suite, a very early work, with a little summary of each movement. The bell does not stop.
Carnon, Aigues Mortes, France, 2022
Music for Different Hands Opus 337
Two short pieces, one for each hand.
Senheim, Germany, 2023
शादी Shaadi Wedding Opus 339
A short celebratory piece on the occasion of the wedding of a friend in Jaipur and Chandigarh, India in November 2023
Desde un jardín español Opus 342
1. Festina Lente
2. Pequeña fiesta (A little fiesta)
3. La torre lejana (The distant tower)
4. Sol poniente y luna naciente (Setting sun and rising moon
Dedicated to Antonia and Enrique
Written in Nerja, Spain and Senheim, Germany, September 2023
Son Roble Opus 349
written in Mallorca on a windy terrace
Spring 2024
Sêr Fachwen - Fachwen Stars Opus 354
From a mountainside in Gwynedd, Wales, where I lived for so many years. Overwhelming stars!
Fachwen, Wales, 2024
Ubi Caritas Opus 355
A short meditation for piano on the plainsong 'Ubi Caritas'
There is a wonderful recording, made by Anna Heller, on Moving Classics TV. "In this deeply moving piece by Dafydd Bullock, ancient sacred text meets a contemporary musical voice — contemplative, luminous, and full of grace."
Senheim, Germany, 2024
Priodas Opus 360
Written for my daughter's Wedding.
Senheim, Germany, 2025
Ynys Llanddwyn Opus 362
Ynys Llanddwyn - the Island of Saint Dwynwen, sometimes known as Dwyn or Donwen, the Welsh patron saint of lovers celebrated throughout Wales on 25 January.- is indeed rich in history, legend and inspiration. In this little piece I have tried to evoke three things which have appealed to me on my many many visits there: the sound of (now lost) bells calling to prayer, the anticipation and excitement of the many pilgrims trudging across the sands, the bells louder as they get nearer, and above all the playful surf and sparkling light of the Menai Strait seen at this most beautiful of Welsh beaches, framed by the mountains of Eryri in the hazy distance. After the play of the water I reference that most lovely Welsh folksong ‘Ar Lan y Môr’ - “On the Seashore’ as the pilgrims leave after their devotions, the bells recede into the background and the surf continues to surprise.
Written in Senheim, Germany, July 1st 2025
Ynys Llanddwyn – die Insel der Heiligen Dwynwen, auch bekannt als Dwyn oder Donwen, der walisischen Schutzpatronin der Liebenden, die in ganz Wales am 25. Januar gefeiert wird – ist reich an Geschichte, Legenden und Inspiration. In diesem kleinen Stück versuche ich, drei Dinge heraufzubeschwören, die mich bei meinen vielen Besuchen dort fasziniert haben: den Klang der (inzwischen verlorenen) Glocken, die zum Gebet rufen, die Vorfreude und Aufregung der vielen Pilger, die über den Sand stapfen, die Glocken, die lauter werden, je näher sie kommen, und vor allem die verspielte Brandung und das glitzernde Licht der Menai-Straße an diesem schönsten Strand Wales, eingerahmt von den Bergen Eryris in der dunstigen Ferne. Nach dem Spiel des Wassers beziehe ich mich auf das wunderschöne walisische Volkslied „Ar Lan y Môr“ – „Am Meeresufer“, während die Pilger nach ihren Andachten aufbrechen, die Glocken in den Hintergrund treten und die Brandung weiterhin überrascht.
Geschrieben in Senheim, Deutschland am 1. Juli 2025
Ynys Llanddwyn - Ynys Santes Dwynwen, a elwir weithiau'n Dwyn neu Donwen, nawddsant cariadon Cymru a ddethlir ledled Cymru ar 25 Ionawr - yn wir yn gyfoethog o ran hanes, chwedl ac ysbrydoliaeth. Yn y darn bach hwn, rwyf wedi ceisio dwyn i gof dri pheth sydd wedi apelio ataf ar fy ymweliadau niferus yno: sŵn clychau (sydd bellach ar goll) yn galw i weddïo, disgwyliad a chyffro'r nifer o bererinion yn llusgo ar draws y tywod, y clychau'n uwch wrth iddynt agosáu, ac yn anad dim tonnau chwareus a golau disglair Menai a welir ar y traeth harddaf hwn o draeth Cymru, wedi'i fframio gan fynyddoedd Eryri yn y pellter niwlog. Ar ôl chwarae'r dŵr, rwy'n cyfeirio at y gân werin Gymreig hyfryd honno 'Ar Lan y Môr' wrth i'r pererinion adael ar ôl eu defosiwn, mae'r clychau'n cilio i'r cefndir ac mae'r tonnau'n parhau i synnu.
Ysgrifennwyd yn Senheim, yr Almaen, Gorffennaf 1af 2025