Nigel Crouch studied composition and piano at the Royal Academy of Music with Paul Patterson and Alexander Kelly. Since then he has divided his time between performing, teaching and composing in a range of styles. Following his move to East Sussex in 2007 he now devotes his time fully to composition and has recently completed works for ‘cello and piano, string quartet, choir and full orchestra. Nigel also collaborates with the composer Ruth Barrett on music for TV and film. His album Under The Influence was recorded following performances of the works in 2010.
The first movement After Dark has been a Trinity College London Grade 7 Exam Piece since November 2022
Three Dances After Midnight? is a work that displays much of the clarinet's unique character. The first movement is positive with fast lyrical lines, punctuated with accented chromatic figures. The second movement has a long unfolding melody in a slow waltz style, melancholic and reflective in mood. The third movement is playful and quirky with an American influence, and concludes with a klezmer style passage leading to the final rhythmic ending. This work provides the opportunity for the performer to display a rounded technique where fast passagework, characterful articulation and soft lyricism create an ever changing interplay. The gripping opening of After Dark, the gentle melancholy of Before Dawn and the energetic style and bravura climax to Anytime You Like make this an ideal addition to the concert repertoire as well as examination and audition requirements, while the piano is also very much an equal partner throughout the piece.
Three Dances After Midnight? has been recorded on the album Under The Influence with Max Welford on clarinet and Marcus Andrews on piano.
The first movement After Dark has been a Trinity College London Grade 7 Exam Piece since November 2022
Three Dances After Midnight? is a work that displays much of the clarinet's unique character. The first movement is positive with fast lyrical lines, punctuated with accented chromatic figures. The second movement has a long unfolding melody in a slow waltz style, melancholic and reflective in mood. The third movement is playful and quirky with an American influence, and concludes with a klezmer style passage leading to the final rhythmic ending. This work provides the opportunity for the performer to display a rounded technique where fast passagework, characterful articulation and soft lyricism create an ever changing interplay. The gripping opening of After Dark, the gentle melancholy of Before Dawn and the energetic style and bravura climax to Anytime You Like make this an ideal addition to the concert repertoire as well as examination and audition requirements, while the piano is also very much an equal partner throughout the piece.
Three Dances After Midnight? has been recorded on the album Under The Influence with Max Welford on clarinet and Marcus Andrews on piano.