Become a Friend of the Trust
Contact us
Music
 Home
 News
 Profile
 Writing
 Articles
 Music
 Listen
 Gallery
 Timeline
 Trust
 Register
 Contact



Piano Music
Sonata in B Minor
Year: 1921
Opus: 2
Duration: 22 minutes
Dedication: "To Philip L. Agnew."
First Performance:
Alan Bush (piano), Lyceum Club, London, 10 May 1921.
Notes:
Philip Agnew Prize Work, May 1921.
Publication:
Murdoch, Murdoch & Co, 1923.
Recording:
Three Pieces for Two Pianos
Year: 1921
Opus: 1
Duration: 11 minutes
First Performance:
Alan Bush and Reginald Paul (pianos), Duke's Hall, Royal Academy of Music, London, 2 March 1921.
Notes:
Charles Mortimer Prize work.
1. On the Warpath
2. Pastoral Scene
3. At the Cinema
Also published as a piano work.
Publication:
Murdoch, Murdoch & Co, 1922.
Murdoch, Murdoch & Co, 1922. 'At the Cinema' arranged for solo piano.
Prelude and Fugue
Year: 1927
Opus: 9
Duration: 11 minutes
Dedication: To Edward J. Dent Esq.
Manuscript:
British Library, London. MS Mus. 352, ff. 1-31: Score in ink.
First Performance:
Alan Bush (piano) and William Busch (piano), Faculty of Arts Gallery, London, 21 June 1927.
Publication:
Oxford University Press, Oxford, 1928. Score.
Relinquishment
Year: 1928
Opus: 11
Duration: 8 minutes
Dedication: "To C.K."
Manuscript:
British Library, London. MS Mus. 352, ff. 32-50.
First Performance:
Alan Bush (piano), Bechstein Hall, Berlin, 6 November 1928.
Publication:
Oxford University Press, Oxford, 1929. Score.
Recording:
 Music by Alan Bush (1994) CD
Esquisse: Le Quartorze Juillet
Year: 1943
Opus: 38
Duration: 3.5 minutes
Manuscript:
Unkown. Sketches in British Library Deposit 2005/32.
First Performance:
Kyla Greenbaum (piano), London, Broadcasting House, London, 29 May 1947.
Notes:
Written in commemoration of the French resistance movement – the piece makes use of two famous songs of the Revolution: 'La Carmagnole' and 'Ça ira'.
Originally commissioned by Felix Aprahamian for a Free French Piano Album in 1944.
Publication:
Joseph Williams (now Stainer & Bell), London, 1953. Score.
Recording:
'Times of Day' - A Little Suite for Piano
Year: 1950
Duration: 8 minutes
Notes:
1. Wake Up!
2. Noon Ramble
3. After School
4. Bedtime
Four piano pieces for children.
Publication:
Joseph Williams (now Stainer & Bell), London, 1950. Score.
Nocturne for Piano Solo
Year: 1956
Opus: 46
Duration: 6 minutes
Dedication: "Dedication in friendship and admiration to Dr Thomas Armstrong."
Manuscript:
British Library, London. MS Mus. 353, ff. 32-73: Full score (Variations and Finale only); the Nocturne is missing from this present manuscript.
First Performance:
Edna Iles (piano), Macnaghten Concert, Arts Council Drawing Room, London, 21 March 1958.
Notes:
Originally written as 'Variations, Nocturne and Finale on an English Sea-Song' for piano solo. Two movements were withdrawn after the first performance and later re-scored for piano and orchestra as Op. 60.
Publication:
Novello, London, 1970. Score - Nocturne only.
Recording:
 Music by Alan Bush (1994) CD
Two Ballads of the Sea for Piano
Year: 1958
Opus: 50
Duration: 7 minutes
Dedication: "Dedicated in friendship and admiration to John Ireland."
Manuscript:
British Museum, London. MS Mus. 353, ff. 88-101: Score in ink.
First Performance:
Alastair Graham (piano), Morley College, London, 19 November 1961. Sixtieth birthday concert of the compositions of Alan Bush by the Workers' Music Association.
Notes:
1. The Cruel Sea Captain
2. Reuben Ranzo
Publication:
Joseph Williams (now Stainer & Bell), London, 1961. Score.
Recording:
'Mister Playford's Tunes' - A Little Suite for Piano
Year: 1958
Opus: 49
Duration: 5 minutes
Notes:
1. Argeers
2. The Whish and Peppers Black
3. Nonesuch
4. The Beggar Boy
5. The Slip, a Going-out
The tunes are taken from John Playford's English Dancing Master, first published in 1651.
Publication:
'On Lawn and Green' - Suite for Harpsichord (or Piano)
Year: 1960
Opus: 54
Duration: 9 minutes
Dedication: "A present to my friend and colleague Hans Pischner as a small recompense for his invaluable support and help eight years ago. Radlett 1960."
Manuscript:
British Museum, London. Add. MS Mus. 59810, ff. 53-67: Sketches.
First Performance:
Hans Pischner (harpsichord), Berlin, 1960.
Notes:
1. Pavan
2. Galiard
3. Air
4. Longway Set
Publication:
Edition Peters, Leipzig, 1962. Score.
Recording:
Suite for Two Pianos
Year: 1967
Opus: 65
Duration: 19.5 minutes
Manuscript:
British Library, London. MS Mus. 356, ff. 9-50: Score in ink.
First Performance:
John Ogdon (piano) and Brenda Lucas (piano) at an Anniversary Concert on the occasion of the 50th Birthday of the Soviet Union, Queen Elizabeth Hall, London, 23 September 1967.
Notes:
1. Prologue
2. Volga Harvest
3. Kinloch Iorram
4. Samarkand Dugokh
5. Pennine Round
Sonata (No. 2) in A flat for Piano - He Epikureia Hedone
Year: 1970
Opus: 71
Duration: 20 minutes
Dedication: "Dedicated in friendship and high esteem to Ronald Stevenson."
Manuscript:
British Library, London. MS Mus. 356, ff. 90-122: Score in ink.
First Performance:
University Theatre, Bath, 28 May 1972.
Publication:
Alan Bush Music Trust, 2010. Contact the Alan Bush Music Trust for details and prices.
Corentyne Kwe-Kwe - Toccata
Year: 1972
Opus: 76
Duration: 4 minutes
Dedication: "To those men and women of Guyana who faced a British warship and stood their ground."
Manuscript:
British Library, London. MS Mus. 357, ff. 1-13: Score in ink.
First Performance:
Alan Bush (piano), Bromsgrove Festival, Shenstone New College, Bromsgrove, 2 April 1973.
Notes:
Based on an African song commemorating the abolition of slavery in British Guiana in 1842.
Recording:
Lively Minuet
Year: 1972
Manuscript:
British Library, London. MS Mus. 366, ff. 55-56: Score in ink.
Notes:
Grade III or IV.
Letter Galliard
Year: 1974
Opus: 80
Duration: 2.5 minutes
First Performance:
William Langford (piano), Wigmore Hall, London, 11 January 1976.
Notes:
Written as a tribute to Shostakovich using the letters DSCH and ABSH, it was one of 13 short musical compositions to be published in Moscow as a 70th birthday tribute to Shostakovich, edited by Grigori Schneerson, published in Moscow. In the event, it became a memorial volume.
Publication:
Sovietskya Musika, 1974. Score.
Thames Publishing, 2000. An anthology of British 20th century piano music, Volume 3.
Recording:
Twenty Four Preludes
Year: 1977
Opus: 84
Duration: 37 minutes
Manuscript:
British Library, London. MS Mus. 358, ff. 18-72: Score in ink. Nos. 13 and 14 are written in the reverse order.
First Performance:
Alan Bush (piano), Wigmore Hall, London, 30 October 1977.
Publication:
Cadenza, 2005. Piano score.
Recording:
Scots Jigganspiel for Piano Solo
Year: 1981-82
Opus: 95
Dedication: "Dedicated in warm affection to Ronald Stevenson."
Manuscript:
British Library, London. MS Mus. 360, ff. 1-11: Photocopy of original manuscript.
Notes:
The piece makes use of the reels 'Sweet Molly', 'Duke of Perth' and 'Tullochgorum', and the strathspeys 'Marquis of Huntley's Farewell' and 'Stumpie', published in 'The Select Melodies of Scotland', Edinburgh, 1822.
Publication:
Alan Bush Music Trust, 2011. Contact the Alan Bush Music Trust for details and prices.
Six Short Pieces for Piano
Year: 1980-83
Opus: 99
Duration: 8 minutes
Manuscript:
British Library, London. MS Mus. 360, ff. 15-36: Score in ink.
First Performance:
Alan Bush (piano), Queen Elizabeth Hall, London, 10 January 1986.
Notes:
1. Invention for Two Voices
2. Evening Lyric
3. Tyne-side Reel
4. Ceremonial
5. Song
6. Rondino
Originally written for Anna Ambrose.
Publication:
Goodmusic Publishing, 1988. Score. Roberton Publications No. 5560.
Recording:
 Alan Bush (2002) CD
A Song from the North for Piano Solo
Year: 1983
Opus: 97
Dedication: "To Thomas Pitfield from Alan Bush, 17 February 1983."
Manuscript:
British Library, London. MS Mus. 360, ff. 12-14: Score in ink.
First Performance:
Stephen Reynolds (piano), All Saints Church, New Street, Altringham, 6 May 1983.
Notes:
The tune is that of a calling-on song used by the sword-dancers of Earsdon, Northumberland.
Publication:
Forsyth Brothers Ltd., Manchester, 1983. Score. 'A Birthday Album for Thomas Pitfield'.
Three Easy Five Beat First Year Pieces for Piano Solo
Year: 1984
Opus: 114
Duration: 6 minutes
Manuscript:
British Library, London. MS Mus. 364, ff. 35-38: Score in ink.
Notes:
1. With a steadily flowing crotchet
2. With a flowing quaver
3. With a fairly fast flowing crotchet
Publication:
Bardic Edition, Cleveland, 1987.
Distant Fields for Piano Solo
Year: 1986
Opus: 109a
Manuscript:
British Library, London. MS Mus. 363, ff. 23-27: Draft score in pencil.
Notes:
Also listed as Opus 109, No. 1.
Sonata No. 3 in G (Mixolydian) for Piano Solo
Year: 1986
Opus: 113
Duration: 16 minutes
Manuscript:
British Library, London. MS Mus. 364, ff. 1-34: Sketches and drafts in pencil and ink. Final version in ink.
First Performance:
Leslie Howard (piano), British Music Information Centre, Stratford Place, London, 28 October 1986.
Notes:
1. Moderato serioso
2. Andante expressivo
3. Allegro vivo ma non troppo
4. Allegro energico
Publication:
Alan Bush Music Trust, 2010. Contact the Alan Bush Music Trust for details and prices.
Three Pieces For Nancy for Piano Solo
Year: 1986
Opus: 115
Manuscript:
British Library, London. MS Mus. 364, ff. 39-69: 'Two Pieces for Nancy' draft written in ink and pencil (ff. 40–55); 'Two Pieces for Pianoforte' in ink (ff. 56–62); 'A Third Piece for my dear Nancy' in ink (ff. 63–69).
Notes:
Originally entitled "Two Pieces for Nancy".
Two Études for Piano
Year: 1987
Opus: 118A
Manuscript:
British Library, London. MS Mus. 365, ff. 8-18: Score in ink.
Notes:
1. Flowing, not very rapid
2. Allegro, non presto
The Six Modes for Piano Duet
Year: 1987
Opus: 119A
Manuscript:
British Library, London. MS Mus. 366 ff. 1-22: Score in ink.
Notes:
Also listed as Opus 122.
A Heart's Expression for Piano Solo
Year: 1987
Opus: Opus 121, No. 1
Dedication: "To Nancy Bush."
Manuscript:
British Library, London. MS Mus. 366, ff. 44-51: Score in ink; Incomplete, lacking the second movement.
Notes:
Incomplete work.
Two Preludes and Fugues for Piano Solo
Year: 1987
Opus: 123
Duration: 12 minutes
Manuscript:
British Library, London. MS Mus. 365, ff. 19-32: Score in ink.
Notes:
1. Prelude and Fugue in Dorian Mode on G
2. Interlude
3. Prelude and Fugue in Mixolydian Mode on D
Also listed as Opus 121, No. 2.
Sonata No. 4 for Piano Solo
Year: 1987
Opus: 119
Dedication: "Dedicated in friendship and high esteem to Ronald Stevenson."
First Performance:
Peter Jacobs (piano), British Music Information Centre, Stratford Place, London, 1991.
Notes:
In five movements.
Publication:
Alan Bush Music Trust, 2010. Contact the Alan Bush Music Trust for details and prices.
Spring Woodland and Summer Garden - Two Pieces for Piano Solo
Year: 1988
Opus: 124
Manuscript:
British Library, London. MS Mus. 365, ff. 93-99: Score in ink.
Notes:
1. Spring Woodland
2. Summer Garden
Also listed as Opus 118, No. 1.
Sonata for Pianoforte
Year: Unknown
Dedication: "To the memory of my dearly beloved wife, Nancy."
Manuscript:
British Library, London. MS Mus. 365, ff. 1-7.
Notes:
Incomplete. Only the start of the second movement and the end of the final (fifth) movement are present.

Music Home
Compositions
Operas
Commentaries
Recordings
Index of Works

Composition Categories
Ballet
Chamber Music
Children's Operetta
Choral Music
Concertos/Solo Instrument and Orchestra
Film music
Incidental Music
Opera
Orchestral Work
Organ Music/Music for Pipes
Pageant
Piano Music
Solo Song
Songs and Arrangements
Wind Band/Brass Band

Major Works
Opera
Wat Tyler
Men of Blackmoor
The Sugar Reapers
Joe Hill - The Man Who Never Died
Orchestral Work
Symphony No. 1 in C
Symphony No. 2 'The Nottingham Symphony'
Symphony No. 3 'The Byron Symphony' with Baritone Solo and Mixed Chorus
Symphony No. 4 - Lascaux Symphony
Dorian Passacaglia and Fugue
Concertos
Piano Concerto
Violin Concerto
Chamber Music
Dialectic for String Quartet
Concert Piece for Cello and Piano
Lyric Interlude for Violin Solo with Piano Accompaniment
Three Concert Studies for Piano, Violin and Cello
Piano Music
Relinquishment
Nocturne
Twenty Four Preludes
Choral Music
'The Winter Journey' - A Christmas Cantata for Soprano and Baritone Solo, Mixed Chorus, String Quintet and Harp
Solo Song
'Voices of the Prophets' - Cantata for Tenor and Piano
'The Freight of Harvest' - Song Cycle for Tenor and Piano
'Life's Span' - Song Cycle for Mezzo-Soprano and Piano
'Woman's Life' - Song cycle for Soprano and Piano