"A series of images or memories shifting from one to the next; like that seen in a dream"

This series of works, written between 2022 and 2023, is design to be a set of illusory piano pieces. Like flowers that bloom year after year, these pieces are written around the concept of a recursive dream-like state. The connection to botany through the word 'Perennial' here is very intentional. The title refers to this endless cycle of images shifting from one to the next, as in a dream. Each piece is designed to reflect this in their own way. Some have dramatic crecendos, while others remain hazy throughout.

Each piece is entitled "Illusion No.X" instead of Movement, as to emphasis the phantasmal nature of the work.

On particularly rainy night I was sitting out looking over a lake down in the south of Aotearoa, watching the reflection of the moon on the lake. There was an air of serenity and melancholy that hung over the scene. I wanted to try capture that moment; the sound of the rain pattering away on the roof, the nearly flat lake and the sharpness of the moon and clouds rolling over. The night progressed, and there was a relentless, yet calming energy to the whole place. I wanted to capture that scene in this piece. The shifting and flowing resonance of the night, the rain and the lake as the world turns over.

This piece is yet to be performed by an ensemble.

This piece entails an aspect of winter that is not often thought of. Many associate winter with a sort of serenity and peace; bells and little chimes perhaps. Quite possible this is due to fact many spend their winters inside in the warmth, next to roaring fires and the like. This piece focus much more of the more gruelling side of winter. Striping the trees and life and covering that landscape in a harrowing frost. It’s ceaseless and perennial march over the landscape year after year. Winter continuing on it’s immemorial march.

Parts currently do not exist for this score

Originally meant to be a small waltz this piece grew into a large and difficult solo piano work. I have performed this live at the Douglas Lilburn Composition Competition The piece features large orchestral piano technique with a softer section in the middle and an intense cadenza. With the great breadth of south the piano creates in this piece In the end I decided an orchestral arrangement seemed in order. If you wish to enquire about the orchestral edition please contact me directly.

The piece lacks any strong themes. However, as I was writing it I was imagining great beast sprits wandering through the depths of hell in their devilish dances. Although there was no strict themes for this piece, the final result is still lively and full of enormous depth.