Composing Commissions

COMPOSING COMMISSIONS

Kinsey has written over 25 works for and including the classical guitar. Almost all her guitar works have received World Premières and many have been recorded and published by Art Music Editions and Art Music Recordings. Kinsey has given more than 150 performances across 4 continents of her “African-inspired” works. In 2007 she received an Astris Award for her contribution to music and music education in South Africa.

Her numerous other works include ballets, chamber works, and several electro-acoustic tone poems. She has been commissioned by SAMRO, SABC, The Foundation for the Creative Arts as well as by private individuals, corporate organisations and schools.

Her music is unashamedly often melodic, atmospheric and entertaining. She utilizes tonal, modal and chromatic elements with a strong emphasis on rhythm, and a special flair for descriptive and programmatic forms of music.

She often draws on “local colour” by recreating the sound of South African birds and certain African instruments into her works. Like an actress she believes in experiencing, wherever possible, the composition she wants to create and this has taken her to many remote and exotic locations like the Okavango for her piece Mokoro which she believes has helped create her unique “African-inspired” flavour.

Classical Guitar Magazine UK said of Ms Kinsey’s works: “Ingenious and evocative, the result of a fertile imagination … a master musician of unusual ability”. Colin Cooper

Composing commissions are accepted from individuals, educational institutions, arts organisations as well as recording, tv, film and advertising companies for specific compositions of music. Ms Kinsey works best in the medium of classical guitar with other small ensemble instruments including, voice, keyboard, synthesiser and choir.

Her specialty is descriptive music for solo, duo, quartet and guitar orchestra, as well as childrens ensemble music. Living in Africa she can offer her unique “African-inspired” flavour to any work and this has distinguished her amongst other composers for guitar. She has been commissioned by SAMRO, UNESCO, and the FOUNDATION for the CREATIVE ARTS.

Sound Samples of her work are :

MOKORO from Music from Africa

SENSUAL from Sensual

ARGENTINIAN for Guitar Quartet from Avril Kinsey and Friends

CATALOGUE OF MUSICAL WORKS

SOLO WORKS
Song of The Water: Mokoro, 1988
	Source:	Guitar Music from Africa Cape Town: Art Music Editions, 1996
	Note:	The performer is required to re-create the sound of a fish eagle call on the guitar, water insects, and a canoe scraping through the reedy swamp (all explained in the notes of the publication Guitar Music from Africa
	Première:	Avril Kinsey (guit) African Evenings Bloemfontein: The Odeon, August 4, 1988
	Recordings:	(1)	Avril Kinsey (guit)‘Song of the Water: Mokoro’ African Evenings (Goc2) [vinyl] Johannesburg: Gold Leaf Records and Tusk Music Ltd.1988
		(2)	Avril Kinsey (guit)‘Song of the Water: Mokoro’ Guitar Music from Africa (CD AM001), Cape Town: Art Music, 1996
		(3)	Avril Kinsey (guit) ‘Mokoro’ [Video] SABC TV, Auckland Park:c 1988 [DVD] composers personal copy.
		(4)	Avril Kinsey (guit) BBC Music Insert [Video] BBC TV, Edinburgh: 1989 [VHS] composer’ personal copy
Afrique du Temps Jadis: Sangoma, 1989
	Movements:	1. Prelude 2. Evocation (to ancestral spirits) 3. Ritual Dance
	Source:	Guitar Music from Africa Cape Town: Art Music Editions, 1996
	Note:	The performer is required to use a ‘sangoma’s swish’, a porcupine quill, and a sea-shell (the effects are explained in the notes of the publication: Guitar Music from Africa
	Première:	Avril Kinsey (guit) Images of Africa on Guitar, London: Purcell Room, South Bank Centre, 28 June 1989
	Recording:	Avril Kinsey (guit) Guitar Music from Africa (CD AM001) Cape Town: Art Music, 1996
The Dancers - Suite for Classical Guitar. 1993
	Movements:	1. Shembe (A Religious Zulu Dance) 2. Incwala (A Ceremonial Swazi Dance) 3. Umhlanga (A Swazi Reed Dance)
	Source:	Ms: A Kinsey
	Commission:	Foundation for the Creative Arts
	Première:	Avril Kinsey(guit) ‘Guitar Music from Africa’ Grahamstown: Standard Bank National Arts Festival, Rhodes Chapel, July 6, 1996
	Recording:	Avril Kinsey (guit) Solo Recital SABC Live Radio Broadcast, Rondebosch: Josephine Mill c 1997 [cassette recording & CD includes other works] composer,s personal copy
Bushmen: Spirit of the Wilderness (solo), 1996
	Source:	Guitar Music from Africa Cape Town: Art Music Editions, 1996
	Note:	The work requires the use of Prestik, (for a marimba sound), a ‘gourd-rattle’ (Bushman rattle ), and a curtain hook or hair grip (zither effect), in order to create the various ethnic effects. The vocal ‘click’ sound of Bushmen speech is also recreated on the guitar.
	Première:	Gregory Newton (guit) DMA Recital: Images of Asia and Africa, Los Angeles: Northridge United Methodist Church, February 11, 2005
Domba Dance: Python Ritual Dance (solo), 1996
	Source:	Guitar Music from Africa Cape Town: Art Music Editions, 1996
	Première:	Avril Kinsey (guit) A Classical Guitar Recital Grahamstown: Standard Bank National Arts Festival Beethoven Room, 5 July 1997
	Recording:	Avril Kinsey (guit) Avril Kinsey Recital, SABC Live Radio Broadcast, Rondebosch: Josephine Mill c 1997 [cassette recording & CD] composer’s personal copy
Modjadji: The Rain Queen (solo), 1996
	Source:	Guitar Music from Africa Cape Town: Art Music Editions, 1996
	Note:	The performer is required to drum on the back of the guitar and to scream.
Sensual: Homage a Renoir, 1997
	Source:	Ms: A Kinsey pending publication by Art Music
	Première:	Avril Kinsey (guit) Grahamstown: Standard Bank National Arts Festival, The Great Hall, July 4, 1997
	Recording:	Avril Kinsey (guit), Sensual (CD AM002) Cape Town: Art Music, 1997
Whale Bay Rondo, 1998
	Source:	Copy of ms: SAMRO (A04283)1998
	Dedication:	Vidius Archer
Song for Greyton, 2000
	Source:	Ms: A Kinsey
	Dedication:	Lorraine Forbes
Guitar on Safari: Concert in Miniature Series, 2006
	Separate Pieces:	1.Dawn Mist 2.Beat about the Bush 3.Gentle Giants 4.Jazzy Jump Antelope 5.Sad Song 6.Cool Red Tango 7.Under the Stars 8.Campfire Blues
	Source:	Guitar on Safari, Cape Town: Art Music Editions, 2006
	Première:	Avril Kinsey (guit), ‘Gentle Giants, Jazzy Jump Antelope, Sad Song, Cool Red Tango’, Solo Recital, Swellendam: Wildebraam, 31 August, 2007
	Recording:	Avril Kinsey (guit) Guitar on Safari (CD AM003), Cape Town: Art Music, 2007
DUO GUITAR WORKS
Bushmen: Spirit of the Wilderness (Duet), 1988
	Source:	Guitar Music from Africa, Cape Town: Art Music Editions, 1996
	Note:	The work requires the use of Prestik (marimba sound), a gourd rattle (Bushman rattle sound), and a curtain hook or hair grip (zither effect) to create various ethnic effects. The vocal click sound of Bushmen speech is recreated on the guitar. The effects are explained in the notes of the publication.
	Première:	Avril Kinsey (guit) and John Silver (guit) African Evenings, Bloemfontein: The Odeon, August 4, 1988
	Recordings:	1)	Avril Kinsey (guit) and John Silver (guit)‘Bushmen: Spirit of the Wilderness’ African Evenings (Goc2) [vinyl LP] Johannesburg: Gold Leaf Records and Tusk Music Ltd.1988.
	Recordings:	(2)	Avril Kinsey (guit) and John Silver (guit) ‘Bushmen: Spirit of the Wilderness’ Guitar Music from Africa (CD AM001), Cape Town: Art Music, 1996
		(3)	Avril Kinsey(guit) and John Silver (guit) ‘Mervyn Davis Luthier’ Arts on One: SABC TV, Documentary, Auckland Park: c 1989 [DVD] in the possession of the composer.
Domba Dance: Python Ritual Dance (Duet) 1988
	Source:	Guitar Music from Africa, Cape Town: Art Music Editions, 1996
	Première:	Avril Kinsey (guit) and John Silver, African Evenings Bloemfontein: The Odeon, August 4, 1988
	Recordings	(1)	Avril Kinsey (guit) and John Silver (guit) African Evenings (Goc2) [vinyl LP] Johannesburg: Gold Leaf Records and Tusk Music Ltd.1988.
		(2)	Avril Kinsey (guit) and John Silver (guit) Guitar Music from Africa (CD AM001), Cape Town: Art Music, Guitar Music from Africa (CD AM001) Cape Town: Art Music, 1996
		(3)	Avril Kinsey (guit) and John Silver (guit) ‘Avril Kinsey and John Silver TV Documentary’ SABC TV, Auckland Park: c 1989 [DVD] in the possession of the composer
The Rain Queen: Modjadji (Duet), 1988
	Source:	Guitar Music from Africa, Cape Town: Art Music Editions, 1996
	Notes:	The performers are required to drum on the back of the guitars, scream and create a ‘bowed cello’ effect by rubbing the sixth strings of the two guitars over each other. The effects are explained in the notes of the publication
	Première:	Avril Kinsey (guit) and John Silver (guit) African Evenings Bloemfontein; The Odeon, August 4, 1988
	Recordings:	(1)	Avril Kinsey (guit) and John Silver (guit) African Evenings (Goc2) [vinyl LP] Johannesburg: Gold Leaf Records and Tusk Music Ltd.1988.
		(2)	Avril Kinsey (guit) and John Silver (guit) Guitar Music from Africa (CD AM001), Cape Town: Art Music, 1996
		(3)	‘Modjadji The Documentary’, Arts on One: SABC TV, Documentary, Auckland Park: c 1989 [DVD] in the possession of the composer
Three Traditional African Folksongs, 1988
	Movements:	1. 2. 3.	Magwalandini Jikele Maweni Khuluma (Speak)
	Source:	Guitar Music from Africa: Cape Town: Art Music Editions,1996
	Note:	Co-author: ‘Khuluma’: Betty Khoza
	Première:	Avril Kinsey (guit) and John Silver(guit) African Evenings, Bloemfontein: The Odeon, August 4, 1988
	Recordings:	(1)	Avril Kinsey (guit) and John Silver (guit) African Evenings(Goc2) [vinyl LP] Johannesburg: Gold Leaf Records and Tusk Music Ltd.1988.
		(2)	Guitar Music from Africa (CDAM001), Cape Town: Art Music, 1996
Two Celtic Duets for Guitar, 1998
	Movements:	1. 2.	Ode to O Carolan No 1 Ode to O Carolan No 2
	Source:	Concert in Miniature Series No 2 (CM02)
	Cape Town:	Art Music Editions, 2005
	Première:	Avril Kinsey (guit) and Bob Gilson (guit) ‘Celtic Delights’,Grahamstown: Standard Bank National Arts Festival, Beethoven Room, (n.d.)
	Recording:	[Cassette recording] in the possession of the composer
GUITAR and VOICE
Sensual Song: Homage a Renoir, 1997
	Instrumentation:	[Sop, guit]
	Source:	Ms: A Kinsey
	Note:	Text: Avril Kinsey
	Première:	Sanet Allen (sop) and Avril Kinsey (guit) Cape Town: Bertrams Cellar Groot Constantia , c 1997
	Recording:	Sanet Allen (sop) and Avril Kinsey (guit)‘Sensual’ on Sensual (CD AM002) Cape Town: Art Music, 1997 Somewhere, 1999
	Instrumentation:	[V, guit]
	Source:	Ms: A Kinsey
	Note:	Text: Avril Kinsey
	Request:	Kirstenhof Primary School
	Dedication:	The pupils of Kirstenhof Primary
	Première:	Kirstenhof Primary (V), Cape Town: Kirstenhof Primary School, c 1999
BALLET & DANCE WORKS
Sounds Great: A One Act Ballet, 1986
	Instrumentation:	[Guit, synth]
	Movements:	1. 2. 3.	Sounds like Fun Sounds Silly Sacred Sounds
	Source:	Ms: A Kinsey
	Commission:	Sylvia Glasser for ‘Moving Into Dance Company’ Première Moving into Dance Company (dancers) Sylvia Glasser (choreography), Johannesburg: Wits Theatre, 1986
	Recording:	Avril Kinsey (guit & synth) [cassette & VHS] in the personal possession of the choreographer
Local Images, 1987
	Instrumentation:	[Guit, synth]
	Source:	Ms not available
	Commission:	Robyn Orlin for SABC TV
	Première:	Robyn Orlin (choreography and dancer) and Robyn Orlin Dancers, Grahamstown: Standard Bank National Arts Festival, n.d.
	Recording:	Avril Kinsey (guit & synth) Johannesburg: SABC TV Robyn Orlin Dance Insert [VHS & DVD] composer’s personal copy
Into the Light: for Carol Kinsey
	Instrumentation:	[Synth]
	Source:	Ms A Kinsey
	Request:	Carol Kinsey
	Première:	Carol Kinsey (choreography and dancer) & Johan Jooste (dancer). Cape Town: Artscape Opera House, n.d.
	Recording:	Avril Kinsey (synth) [DVD] composer’s personal copy
ENSEMBLE WORKS
Legends of the Cape: A musical tone poem, with narration, 1990-1992
	Instrumentation:	[Guit solo, fl, hn, hrp, cel, str, choir, timp, synth, perc, narr] or /[Guit solo),guit (accomp), synths (2), perc,narr]
	Movements:	1. 2. 3. 4.	Abantubamlambo (Sea Creatures) Cape of Storms Dance of the Grape Tokoloshe The Sheik, The Ship and the Shrine
	Sources:	Ms: A Kinsey
	Note:	Narrated text: A Kinsey, 1992
	Dedication:	Bob Gilson
	Première:	Avril Kinsey (guit & narr), Bob Gilson (guit & narr), Tony Drake (synths), John Hargreaves (perc)
Legends of the Cape, Stellenbosch: Oude Libertas Amphitheatre, 20th March 1993
	Recordings:	(1) Avril Kinsey (guit & synth) ‘Abantubamlambo & Cape of Storms’ Guitar Music from Africa (CD AM001) Cape Town: Art Music, 1996
		(2) Avril Kinsey (guit & synth) ‘Grape Tokoloshe’ Top Billing TV insert for SABC TV, Auckland Park: 1993 [DVD] composer’s personal copy
Legends: Three Tone Poems for Electro-acoustic Ensemble with Narrator, 1995
	Instrumentation:	[SATB, fl, tpt(2),synth(2),guit(2),pf,hn,d-b, timp,gong,mand,tbells, nar]
	Movements:	1. 2. 3a. 3b.	Gilgamesh Land of Heroes and Heroines In the Beginning Manifest
	Note:	Narrated text for the epic tale of ‘Gilgamesh’and the Finnish legend‘Swan of Tuonela’: A Kinsey
		Narrated text for ‘In the Beginning’ based on the nonstandard Big Bang and Inflationary Universe Theories: Bob Gilson
	Source:	Ms: A Kinsey
	Commission:	Johannesburg: Foundation for the Creative Arts
	Dedications:	‘Gilgamesh’ - Beryl Purcell ‘Land of Heroes and Heroines’ – Carol Kinsey & ‘In the Beginning and Manifest’ – Bob Gilson
WORKS FOR FOUR GUITARS
Four by Five Traditional , 2001
	Separate Pieces:	1. Bok Srou (Cambodian trad) 2. Moo Lee Wha (Chinese trad) 3. Albanian (Albania trad) 4. Barinya (Russian trad) 5. Al la li la (Mauritian Sega Dance)
	Source:	Ms: Avril Kinsey - pending publication by Art Music
	Dedication:	‘Steven Felmore, for the beautiful sound’ A Kinsey
	Première:	The Cape Town Academy of Music Guitar Quartet (Monica Gasiewska, Steven Kukard, Karl Rohloff, Avril Kinsey)
‘Around the World with Six Guitars’
	Durbanville:	High Street Theatre , 25, February 2001
	Recording:	Rehearsal [DVD] composer’s personal copy

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