Commissioned by Owen J Conlan
Machnamh: ruminations on a tune by Seán Ó Riada (2022)
9 minutes
for string quartet with or without didgeridoo
Chamber music
Ford’s chamber music includes six string quartets, and numerous works for mixed ensemble, some involving piano.
Please click work titles for more information and resources (audio, sheet music, program note etc.) about individual works in this category.
Beyond (2022)
12-15 minutes
for three or more trumpets and bell-plates
Commissioned by Nick Hewett
String Quartet No 7: Eden Ablaze (2020)
10 minutes
for string quartet with or without didgeridoo
Commissioned for the Brodsky Quartet by Julian Burnside AO QC.
First performance by the Brodsky Quartet and William Barton (didgeridoo), Canberra International Music Festival, Fitters' Workshop, Canberra, 30 April 2023
Polly’s Dance (2019)
3 minutes
for cor anglais, French horn and cello
Commissioned by Sandy Rendel in celebration of his sister Polly Woods's 75th birthday.
First performance by Dinah Woods (cor anglais), Jules Evans (horn), Helen Mountfort (cello), Midland Hotel, Castlemaine, Victoria, 20 July 2019
Scenes from Streeton (2019)
26 minutes
for wind quintet and recorded voices
1. Golden Summer 2. Near Heidelberg 3. The Selector's Hut (Whelan on the Log) 4. The Spirit of the Drought 5. After Streeton
Commissioned in celebration of the Melbourne Recital Centre's 10th anniversary.
First performance by Arcadia Winds, Primrose Potter Salon, Melbourne Recital Centre, Melbourne, 9 October 2019.
Blood Red Roses: three shanties and a sea song (2017)
10 mins
for 2 trumpets, French horn, trombone and tuba
1. Go Down, You Blood Red Roses
2. Sally Brown
3. Lowlands
4. Spanish Ladies
Commissioned by Sydney Brass
First performance by Sydney Brass, Bondi Junction RSL, Sydney, 1 July 2018
Never (2016)
11 mins
for clarinet/bass clarinet, violin and piano
1. Night Flight -- 2. Fanfares -- 3. Lullaby for Lost Children.
Commissioned by Plexus
First performance by Plexus, Melbourne Recital Hall, Melbourne, 29 May 2017
Contradance (2015)
13 minutes
for 11 players
1(=picc)-1-1(=bass cl)-1(=contrabsn) / 1-0-0-0 / pno / 1-1-1-1-1
Commissioned by Steven Alward for the Omega Ensemble to celebrate the 60th birthday of Mark Wakely
First performance by the Omega Ensemble, City Recital Hall, Sydney, 20 April 2016
String Quartet No 6 (2014-17)
25 minutes
1. Preludio —
2. Scherzo perpetuo
3. Lamentoso —
4. Sunrise with Wedding Dresses
5. Finale
Movements 2 and 4 may be performed separately.
Commissioned by the Flinders Quartet with support from David and Kaye Birks, Julian Burnside AO QC and Ben Quilty
First performance by the Flinders Quartet, Ballarat, Victoria, 28 October 2018
Common Ground (2014)
15 minutes
for two string quartets
Commissioned by Barbara Blackman for the Canberra International Music Festival.
First performance by the New Zealand String Quartet and Tinalley String Quartet, Canberra International Music Festival, Fitters' Workshop, Canberra, 9 May 2015