“Simon Fryer doesn’t shed a trace of enthusiasm in both the playing and his notes in this splendid recital of contemporary cello pieces….everything here sounds ideally brewed and technically complete…Pieces by Canadians Alexina Louie, Gary Kulesha, Alice Ho and Ronald Royer are all worthwhile, their individual voices genuinely felt.”
Play excerpt of A Short Odeyssey, Royer
Solo vc./2(2=picc).2.2(2=bcl).2./2.2.2.0./timp.2perc./strings
(alternate 3rd horn part for trombone 1)
Date: 1996
Duration: 19:30
“Does the road wind up-hill all the way?
Yes, to the very end.
Will the day’s journey take the whole long day?
From morn to night, my friend.”
–Christina Rossetti
Journey has been designed to have a generalized programmatic element. The opening of the concerto depicts the dawn; the body of the concerto represents the journey; and the conclusion portrays the arrival at the destination. Comprised of two movements to be performed without break, Journey has a rhapsodic feel to contribute to the programmatic element of the composition.
The first movement employs the sonata-allegro form, with an introduction. The main motive in the introduction is presented by two solo violins. The entire concerto is based upon this motive (A, G#, Eb, D). In the main section of the movement (Allegro), the solo cello presents the first theme, which is a variation of the introductory motive. The second theme is presented in a more relaxed tempo (Moderato) yet is still related to the introductory motive.
The second movement is in a ternary or ABA form with an added brief introduction, interlude and coda. The solo cello introduces the A theme, a variation of the introductory motive (A, G#, Eb, D), now altered to A, G#, E, D. The concerto concludes with a coda, which takes as its main theme a variation of the A theme from the second movement, re-introduces material from the first and second movements, and climaxes with exciting cello work while the the flute and clarinet play a restatement of the introductory motive.
Instrumentation: 2(2=picc).2(2=ehn).1.bcl.2./4.2.3.1./timp.2perc.hp./strings
Date: 1995
Duration: 6:00
2.picc.2.ehn.2.bcl.2./4.3.3.1./timp.3perc./strings
(2nd flute, English horn, bass clarinet and/or 3rd trumpet are optional; alternate parts for 2 percussion)
Date: 1995
Duration: 5:10
The Composer’s own words best describe this playful work: “Written in the spring of 1995, Dance for Orchestra was composed for the concert stage but could be danced to by ballet or modern dancers. This composition does not seek to imitate a specific type of dance but does feature qualities that can be danced to such as lively and energetic rhythms as well as expressive and flowing melodies.
The music utilizes an ‘arch’ form (ABCBA). The fast paced A and B sections feature short and repeating motives and jaunty melodies which are contrasted with flowing lines. In the C or middle section, the music slows and relaxes, featuring a solo by the French horn and ending with a clarinet cadenza, which leads the listener back to the faster pace of the B and A sections. The coda completes the dance adventure with a whirling increase of tempo, momentum and energy.”
Mr. Royer’s Dance for Orchestra won First Prize in the Suburban Youth Orchestra Composition Competition and was premiered in Chicago in March 1996.