orchestra
2(picc).2.2 sop sax 2.2.2.1 perc(2), elec g, bass g, harm, piano, sop., elect piano, strings
First performance: 20th April 2018. Orkest de Ereprijs/Thallein Ensemble conducted by Daniele Rosina. Royal Birmingham Conservatoire
Text by Richard Cutler
Fast, slow, faster(2017) 8' Download PDF
orchestra
To the memory of Robert Rauschenberg
2.2.2.2 4.2.2.1 perc(2), strings
First performance: 16th December 2017. North London Orchestra conducted by Enyi Okpara. St Martin's Church, Gospel Oak, London
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Ubu's Overture (2011) 20' Download PDF
orchestra
3.3.3.3 4.3.3.1 perc(3), harp, strings
This is a condensed version of Ubu's Journey; in effect a shortened journey
Oldham (2010) 20' Download PDF
mixed ensemble
Dedicated to Jon Oldham
For COMA's open score project
A setting of Louis MacNeice's poem 'Cradle Song'. This was written as a section of a piece dedicated to the late Jon Oldham, and called 'Oldham'. Indi Kaur (voice), Andrew Toovey (harpsichord). Listen on YouTube
Ubu's Journey (2008) 30' Download PDF
orchestra
For Andrew Smith
3.3.3.3 4.3.3.1 perc(3), harp, strings
First performance: 7th May 2011. BBCSSO conducted by Ivan Volkov. Old Fruit Market – Glasgow
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Smeared (2006) 12' Download PDF
orchestra
Dedicated to Morton Feldman
2.2.2.2 + 2 alto sax 2.1.1.0 perc(1), strings
First performances: December 2006. Ricciotti Ensemble. Holland and London
For Morton Feldman (2006) 11' Download PDF
mixed ensemble
written for COMA ensemble
First performances: August 2006. COMA Ensemble conducted by Greg Rose. COMA Doncaster summer school
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Viola Concerto (2004) 30' Download PDF
solo viola & orchestra
For Joyce McNeill
solo viola 2.2.2.2 2.2.2.1 perc(2) vibraphone, woodblock, harmonium, strings
First performance: 20th May 2005, Lawrence Power (viola) BBCSSO conducted by Henrik Schaefer. BBC Studio 1 – Glasgow
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orchestra
Comissioned and first performed by Orkest de Ereprijs, conducted by Wim Boerman Octoberr (Apeldoorn) and November (Amsterdam) 2002
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Oboe Concerto (1996-97) 20' Download PDF
solo oboe, harp and strings
Commissioned by the Isle of Wight International Oboe Competition
oboe, harp and strings (6 6 4 3 2)
First performance: May 1997, IOW; Bournemouth Sinfonietta, Richard Studt
"I use the oboe melodically throughout the three movements of this concerto. Detailed, extended melodic lines with various types of accompaniment, including fluttering natural harmonics, overlapping chords, rhythmic chord ostinato and rapid arpeggios to be heard. In the second movement for instance the oboe plays a melody several times, each time the rhythm and embellishments are different I wanted the feeling that the soloist had somehow just discovered this melody and was trying it out in different ways." AT
Red Icon (1995-96) 32' Download PDF
large orchestra
Commissioned by the BBC for the BBC Symphony Orchestra
For Michael Finnissy's 50th birthday
3.3.3.3 4.3.4.1 perc(4), harps(2), cimbalom, harpsichord, 16 14 12 10 8 (max)
First performance: 23 February 1996, BBC Maida Vale Studios, London; conducted by David Porcelijn
Recording available on Largo CD 5139
"Engulfed by the huge tidal wave of the Toovey, inspired by the paintings of Rothko, a few traces of its sound world seemed to hint just audibly among the chains of hammer blows. Toovey's most extravagant use of colour, with its great juxtaposed blocks of tone, its contrasts between fiery speed and icy stillness." The Herald Glasgow
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Acrobats (1995) 14' Download PDF
large mixed woodwind, brass and string ensemble
Commissioned by Contemporary Orchestial Music for Amateurs (COMA)
First performance: 11 August 1995, Bretton Hall; Simon Foxley
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Come and Go (1994-95) 14' Download PDF
chamber ensemble*
Commissioned by Musik Fabrick
For Robert Chevara
1111 1111 perc(2):harp,piano,strings (min: 1.1.1.1. l max:4.4.3.3.2)
First performance: 3 March 1995; Dusseldorf Tonhalle
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concerto for two pianos and orchestra
Commissioned by YCAT for their 10th anniversary concert
For YCAT and EOS
2 pianos, 2222 0000 Perc. Full strings
First performance: 5 December 1994. QEH London, Joanna MacGregor, Andrew West, EOS, Charles Hazlewood
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First performance: 5 December 1991; BBC, London; BBC Symphony Orchestra conducted by Simon Joly
"..homage in abstract — a celebration (as odd as it seems) of the art of making (Mozart excelled at this), which continues in a world where it often seems senseless.." AT
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Black Light (1989) 10'
chamber ensemble*
For my brother Peter
1(=picc.) 1.(=corA).l(bcl).dbn1,Ebtpt.1.0—perc(2):glsp/xyl/6susp.cym/3tom-t/4gongs/pedalBD/crot/marimba/3wdbl/TD-harp—pft—strings(min: 1. 1. 1. 1. l max:4.4.3.3.2)
First performance: 20 May 1992 ISCM World Music Days, Warsaw; Ensemble Modern
"....gripping musical profile—, elemental in its raw power." Perspectives of New Music. Vol 33. No 1. 1993
Full score available, published by Boosey and Hawkes
chamber ensemble*
For Mark Rothko
Picc(=afl). CorA(=ob).bcl(=cl).dbn(=bn) 1.1(=picc.tpt) or Eb tpt.1.0—perc(2)-.xy/3wdbl/smallgong/susp.cym/BD/crot/lujon/ratchet/bongos/marimba/TD/large gong—harp—pft—strings (min:1.1.1.1.1, max:4.4.3.3.2)
First performance: 5 March 1988 October Gallery, London; Endymion Ensemble
"Toovey's work called Ate, inspired by the paintings of Barnett Newman, was conceived as a series of static columns of sound with group or solo interjections likened to the embellishments of key initials in illuminated manuscripts. Even with a small ensemble it managed to conjure a mood of solemn ritual" The Guardian
Full score available, published by Boosey and Hawkes
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*Ate/Black Light/Come & Go can also be played as a triptych
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