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Ensemble with Soloist

Farewell Songs, for countertenor or mezzo-soprano, Baroque and Chinese instruments

Magic, for sinfonietta and child violinists

AS8 Earthrise, for cello solo and eight flutes

34, Concerto for Electric Guitar and Wind Ensemble

Wie hoger klimt (Who climbs higher), for whistler and ensemble

The Overwhelming Blankness of the Ultimate Meaninglessness of Tragedy

​c.ten.| suona, 2 erhus, sackbut | 1perc.| hpschord | vln., vlc., cb.

Duration: 18’

Year of composition: 2023

Texts: Mèng Hàorán, Mèng Hàorán, and Edward Top, after Mahler

Commissioned by Early Music Vancouver
Financial support: Canada Council for the Arts.

Premiere: Early Music Vancouver Summer Festival, July 2025, Roundhouse, Vancouver

More information on Farewell Songs here

Tang dynasty poet Wang Wei on horseback

for sinfonietta ensemble and child violinists

1111|1110|1perc.|pno|child violinists|11111

Duration: c. 15’

Year of composition: 2019

Commissioned by conductor Owen Underhill

Premiere: Cantus Ansambl Zagreb, conducted by Owen Underhill, September 19, 2019, at Lauba Zagreb, Croatia

More information on Magic available here

for cello solo and 8 flutes

Duration: 13’

Year of composition: 2012

Commissioned by Red Shift Vancouver and Ensemble Contemporain de Montréal

Premiere: Ensemble de Flûtes Alizé (ECM+) Véronique Lacroix conductor, Salle de concert du Conservatoire, Montréal, Canada,12 February, 2013

More information on AS8 Earthrise available here

Edward Top Jazzmaster Square phot credit Steven Maloney ©

el.g-solo | fl sax-s 2sax-br h 3trp 2trb trb-b perc g-b pf

Duration: 15’

Year of composition: 2006

Composed for Wiek Hijmans and Orkest De Volharding

Premiere: NA

More information on 34 here

for whistler and ensemble trp pf 2vl vla vc

Duration: 8'

Year of composition: 2002

Premiere: Het Hof, Dordrecht, Netherlands, 2002

More information on Wie Hoger Klimt available here

Wie Hoger Klimt Edward Top

for soprano, actor, and two ensembles 1111 1110 perc vibr hp pf 2vl vla vc cb

Words: Jorge Luis Borges, Octavio Paz, Amnesty International

Duration: 20'

Year of composition: 1996

Premiere: Ingrid Kapelle (sopr.), Fred van der Hilst (actor), Doelen Ensemble conducted by Lucas Vis; Gaudeamus Festival, Aga Zaal, Beurs van Berlage, Amsterdam, 3 September, 1996

More information on The Overwhelming Blankness available here

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