Platinum Royale is intrinsically linked to 2022.
Being a Jubilee year the piece makes a very definite nod to Handel’s coronation anthem Zadok the Priest. Also buried deep in the composition the piece includes a deconstruction of the UK national anthem.
Other musical cues within the writing of Platinum Royale originate in Density 21.5 by the hugely forward looking twentieth century French composer Edgard Varèse. Density 21.5 is central to the flute repertoire of the last century. The title refers to a rounded up value for the density of platinum - the commissioner of the piece premiered it on his new platinum flute.
A more precise density for platinum is 21.45 g/cm3 which is expressed as ρ 21.45. The numbers 2 1 4 and 5 feature in various ways in the work. Also the Greek letter ρ (named Rho) used to indicated the density of a substance appears several places after Omicron in the alphabet. This links to the optimistic final cadence and signposts better times ahead when the current covid concerns are behind us.

This very English concert march nods in the direction of William Walton in its contrasting spritely main themes and stately trio section. Written slightly after Elizabeth II's silver jubilee it very much echoes the celebration of the time.

With its roots in Irish-American folksong, this is a wonderfully colourful arrangement with unexpected harmonic twists and rhythmic developments of the well known tune. [Arranged by Paul Fenoulhet]

An arrangement that approaches the familiar melody using light swing rhythms and jazz harmony to produce an attractive and unique slant on the Christmas tune. Two short solo sections (optional ab lib) feature Bb Clarinet and Alto Sax. [Arranged by Adrian Budgen]