VIOLIN CONCERTO

This concerto for violin and orchestra was originally begun in 1997 and completed in 1999. I revised it considerably in 2010 but was still not happy with the final form. Although I had a clear idea where I wanted to go with it it took me 15 years to get round to it, but I started on it the summer in 2025 and completed it by the start of Autumn. This is now the final form. This is a computer generated demo, not a live performance. The sound library I used to create this demo is the excellent Noteperformer3, which works directly from the score-writer. A live performance of this piece would involve considerable rubato and frequent tempo modulations in order for the solo part to execute the double and quadruple stops etc. I found this difficult to mimic exactly as it would sound in a live performance using a computer score-writer, the tempo of which is quite rigid. It is difficult to mimic the subtle changes of tempo and human elements that a live performance would produce, for example the effect of playing a series of accented down bows and the slight addition of time and detachment that this involves. This was also the case with the orchestral sections in places. This demo is not definitive therefore, but an approximation. Nevertheless, because of the excellent nature of the sound library I used this demo gives an overall general idea of the piece.

This is a demo of Messina, Anno Domini 1190, a one act music drama by Stephen Perks (please note that this is a computerised simulation using a sound library not a live performance). The full libretto along with an historical introduction and synopsis of the story is available here.

Demo of The Legend of the Seven Sleepers of Ephesus, a three act music drama by Stephen Perks (please note that this is a computerised demo using a sound library not a live performance). The full libretto along with a synopsis is available here.

Psalm 24, from Three Canticles for St Mary Magdalene by Stephen Perks

Choir: Amici. Conductor: John Cole. Organist: Andrew Carter. Recorded in the parish Church of Saint John the Baptist, Wellington, Somerset on 6 February 2012. Copyright Stephen Perks, 2008.

Magnificat, from Three Canticles for St Mary Magdalene by Stephen Perks

Choir: Amici. Conductor: John Cole. Organist: Andrew Carter. Recorded in the parish Church of Saint John the Baptist, Wellington, Somerset on 6 February 2012. Copyright Stephen Perks, 2008.

Nunc Dimittis from Three Canticles for St Mary Magdalene by Stephen Perks

Choir: Amici. Conductor: John Cole. Organist: Andrew Carter. Recorded in the parish Church of Saint John the Baptist, Wellington, Somerset on 6 February 2012. Copyright Stephen Perks, 2008.