Christopher Sainsbury
Composer | Songwriter | Guitarist | Educator

Concerto

Clarinet
1993/2009: Concertino for Clarinet and Strings
Performed by Eddie Knakal and Virginia Symphony Strings, Greg Turner and Central Coast Concertante Ensemble
Level: University orchestra, or good community orchestra | Duration: 15 mins

Guitar
2001: Concerto for Guitar (The Luthier)
Commissioned by Adrian Walter for Darwin International Guitar Festival 2002
Soloist: Jose Maria Gallardo del Rey | Level: Professional orchestra or university orchestra | Duration: 25 mins

Cor Anglais
2009: Bushfire - Concerto for Cor Anglais and Strings
For Rachel Tolmie and Concertante Ensemble, Gosford City
Recorded on Wirripang label | Level: Pro soloist and a pro orchestra | Duration: 22 min

Flute
2025: Flute Concertino (flute and alto flute)
Sally Walker and the CSO | Duration: 13 min.
Also version for electronics, screened images and flute.


Small/Medium Orchestra

1985: Australian Concert Overture
For medium-sized orchestra
Winner Australian Young Composer Award 1986 | Duration: 5 mins

1986: Horizons
For small orchestra
Featured in New Music and the Orchestra Series 1986, Queensland Theatre Orchestra, Richard Mills conducting | Level: Professional orchestra or university orchestra | Duration: 6 mins

1987: Homage to TS Eliot
For string orchestra
Commissioned work for Australian Chamber Orchestra, Carl Pini directing, subsequent performance under Richard Tognetti | Level: Professional or good university string orchestra | Duration: 9 mins

2014: Concert Overture "Beach Holiday"
Commissioned by Central Coast Youth Orchestra, dir. Patrick Brennan | Duration: 5 mins

2015: Where Cooling Zephyrs Breathe
Commissioned by Central Coast Youth Orchestra, dir. Patrick Brennan | Duration: 5 mins

2019: Mari yanna (Big Walk)
Commission from Chancellery of ANU
Graduation piece for unison voices with chamber ensemble of twelve | Duration: 5 mins

2021: Guwara (High Wind)
For string orchestra
Commission from Melbourne String Ensemble | Level: Good upper high school students or professional | Duration: 4 mins

2024: Antique Flight Stilled Through Millenia 
A pseudo classical work for fl, 2 x ob, 4 x horns, strings (Haydn 31 forces)
Commissioned by the Canberra Symphony Orchestra (CSO), Cond. Benjamin Bayl | Duration: 8 mins


Larger Orchestra or Symphonic Wind

2007: First Light
For orchestra
Winner New England Philharmonic Orchestra Boston Open Scores Competition 2010-11
Commissioned by Central Coast Conservatorium and Central Coast Symphony, Gosford City | Level: Professional orchestra, university orchestra or good community orchestra | Duration: 10 mins

2016: The Magic of This Dawn
For Wind Symphony
Commissioned by North Sydney Symphonic Wind Ensemble
Australian performances and Japan tour | Level: Very good community group | Duration: 8 mins

2017: Spirit Land
For large orchestra
Commissioned by filmmaker Robert Doyle, Arts Central and Create NSW funding, soundtrack for the film of the same name | Level: Very good community orchestra or youth orchestra | Duration: 17 mins

2020: String Talk
For string orchestra with featured solos for violin and cello
Commissioned by Sydney Symphony Orchestra (SSO) | Duration: 9 mins

2025: Overture to Brisbane Reflections
Commissioned by the Brisbane Symphony Orchestra | Duration: 3 mins


Other Wind Ensemble

2015: Ratoos
For flute choir
Students high school/AMEB 4 - 6 parts | Duration: 3 mins

2015: Gallipoli Sensings
For wind trio (French horn, clarinet/bass clarinet, bassoon)
Commissioned for Contemporary Gallipoli Exhibition Macquarie University
Performed by Royal Australian Navy Band | Duration: 8 mins

2019: Bardo
For flute trio
Composed for Australian Flute Festival 2019 | Level: Upper levels | Duration: 5 mins

2021: Singing Stone
Commissioned by Ken Murray for Ensemble Three (Melbourne)
For trumpet, trombone, amplified classical guitar | Level: Professional | Duration: 12 mins


"Beautifully crafted, always received with enthusiasm by both the members of the orchestra and the audience alike."
— Gordon Yemm, former principal flute West Australian Symphony Orchestra and Queensland Pops Orchestra


Also view Solo Instrumental or Email me!