Symphonic/Orchestral
Works are available from Laura Pettigrew unless otherwise noted.
In the King’s Court the marketplace
Chamber ensemble
Duration: 3:30
“In the King’s Court, the Marketplace” orchestral work – written in response to a National call for New Orchestral Works by the Regina Symphony Orchestra.
As a new day dawns, the Kingdom wakes to the sound of the King's processional as he makes his way into the court. Weaving their way through the marketplace we hear the hustle and bustle of the vendors as they prepare their wares and goods, the daily market where one purchases or barters with their neighbour. As dusk falls the carts and wagons disappear into the shadows; all is still, as the last call of the horn fades into the night.
Fieldstone Inn
Tunnels of Moose Jaw
Chamber ensemble
Duration: 26:08
Set in four movements the work is based on the History of Chinese Immigrants - the "Head Tax" and "Chinese Exclusion Act" as it related to Canada between 1885-1924, many who had immigrated to build the railroad. It also takes us back in time to the era of "Prohibition” and the Legend of Al Capone a time of rum running, gambling and speakeasy’s in Moose Jaw. It celebrates the strength of character, pride and culture of Chinese immigrants trying to earn income to pay the Head Tax for themselves and their families which was imposed by the Canadian Government. The work incorporates traditional Chinese instruments with modern orchestral instruments in addition to musical styles, scales and folk melodies known unto the era and the Chinese. In addition the work incorporates a soundscape, one of which an interview with Sam Gee, a gentleman whose father immigrated to Canada and paid the Head Tax.
Live Recording available upon request
Freya (Goddess of Love and Beauty)
Freya is one of the major Goddesses of Norse Mythology. Equal in prowess to Thor, Freya is nearly the equal of Odin, the Allfather. She is the Goddess of Love and Beauty, one of the original fertility goddesses of the region. Patron of young lovers, Freya is viewed as a force for good in the world – protector of the weak, healer, granter of magic and source of love and peace. She listens to the prayers of men and women seeking love and helps them when she can. Freya is described as the most beautiful of women in the Nine Realms. She always wears Brisingamen, a wonderful necklace made from gold and amber that she received from dwarves. Freya leads the Valkyrie, the Choosers of the Slain. These warrior maidens ride over battlefields on winged horses, taking the souls of noble warriors killed in battle to feast in Valhalla, Odin’s Hall. Freya claims half of the warriors for her own hall in Folkvang. This martial province makes Freya a more fully dimensioned goddess than most fertility deities. I wrote this work for Erika Mueller to express my great love and admiration. As a young woman Erika’s beautiful soul is filled with compassion for humanity and is gifted with great beauty and musical talent beyond her years. The work comprises many factors that being not only the tonal centers used but also numerical in that to reflect not only Erika but also Freya. As such tonal centers used are e minor, F# major and B minor specifically in addition to using five to ten measure phrases.
Dance of Life
Chamber orchestra
Duration: 10:00
Commissioned by Andy Anderson, a bequest from his wife Catherine Anderson the work was written specifically for the RSO Chamber ensemble to celebrate Catherine`s love of life, music and community. Catherine was an amateur flutist and cellist and she and her husband Andy an amateur clarinetist spent countless years as members performing with community ensembles, bands and orchestras sharing their time and talent. I chose the title and subsequently the movements became literal forms of dance to depict Catherine as she believed Life truly was a ``Dance`` and as individuals we possessed the gift to create our own music on our journey. The 1st mvt, the Lullaby represents life as a whole the joy, sadness and love we experience as we travel our path in life. I thought a lot about my own life, the joy, sadness and of course love and strength of conviction that has brought me to this point. A young student of mine who listened to the movement was in tears stating she could feel my pain, love and joy and how I have triumphed against all odds. To depict the love between Andy and Cathy I used the Key centres D , Bb and F - D = Dance (daonnan pronounced doonon means "Always" or “Forever” in Scottish Gaelic) Bb = Beloved Best. F = Friend. The 2nd mvt, the Waltz which in part because of the tempo is more a Scherzo is set with an ostinato starting on c# to represent Cathy which flows through the entire movement again a binding force in hers and Andy's relationship and loving marriage. I used specific key centers to represent Cathy and Andy. A = Andy, G = gradh which means love in Scottish Gaelic, D = Dance/daonnan. Using a hemolia and a play on the intervals A C# E to represent Andy and Cathy assisting the listener to hear and feel a quick two step waltz was my way to impart how life always has Its interruptions which throw us off balance but we always manage to land on our feet. The 3rd movement a Jig was a tribute to Cathy`s love of Barqoue music. I used specific key centers and quasi key centers to cement the foundation of Cathy and Andy`s loving relationship. Thus G = gradh (pronounced graw or gaol pronounced gool which both mean love in Scottish Gaelic, E Everlasting, F# Family, C Cathy, ending in G gradh – Love.
Legend of Draco
Dòchas (Hope in Scottish Gaelic)
Full orchestra
Length: 2:44
Dòchas means HOPE in Scottish Gaelic, pronounced with the ch sounding like the ch in Scottish loch and ò an extended oh.
Dòchas is one in a series of fanfares Commissioned by the Toronto Symphony Orchestra in celebration of the 150th Anniversary of the Confederation of Canada with financial assistance from the Government of Canada.
I chose the title based in part on my ancestral roots (Scottish, Irish, English, German, French, Scandinavian, Asian, South American) and for its meaning.
Given the current unrest and turmoil globally with a large percentage of the world's population facing hopelessness and despair, I felt it was important to express HOPE through music; to move forward, to exist, to believe, we must have HOPE!
In the Harmonic progression incorporated over the last six measures of the fanfare, I literally expressed the following:
Believe, Beloved, Be Loved / Everyone, Equality / Faith, Forgiveness / Compassion, Charity / HOPE / Eternity