Fand IncWessex Press

The tail end of 2024 sees the publications of a couple of new works by Peter Thompson, though only one of them is newly written.

October for Bassoon and String Quartet was composed back in October 1991. The work is in a single rhapsodic movement, sometimes darkly dreaming, at other times light-splashed with colour and joy – reflecting, therefore, aspects of the month of October.

Antique Dreams, by contrast, is a new work, though its title and unusual choice of instrument is suggestive of autumnal thoughts of a different kind. Written for solo Clavichord, it is a sequence of five short, delicate movements that evoke music of earlier ages but with distinctly modern overtones.

The Safe Return is a delightfully idiomatic folk tune written by Julian Farmer, poet and skilful folk musician. Peter Thompson has arranged the tune for either oboe/violin or ’cello with piano accompaniment. The score comes with all instrumental parts included.