selected works
selected works
To purchase scores and parts contact Thomas here.
lute concerto (2026) written for Felix Collins
Sunroving imagines the presence of sunlight as a god-like one, towering but gentle in its arrival. Taking inspiration from Hopper’s Sunlight in an Empty Room, it fills spaces with life through ever-chasing, and ever-cycling material. I look at this material like light through iron fences, doilies, abandoned structures. Also as light seen on the floor through trees, frosted windows, and my fingers; shifting and changing, rigid and burning, free and gliding.
for soprano, electric guitar, and cello (2026) written for Héloïse Werner and Colin Alexander
solarpunk is just another mercy for the hopeful few is a piece that looks at hope as a form of radicalism. This piece was catalysed by the often divided opinion of just how hopeful we can be in the times we are in, particularly in reference to Dear Alice, an animation by The Line that depicts a solarpunk future where we seemingly live at one with the Earth and natural resources.
for 15 flutes (2026) commissioned by Lucy Rowan for the RCM flute faculty
thresholds to imaginary gates reflects on an infinite passing of thresholds we experience throughout our day, month, year, and lives. Utilising the spectral analysis of a metal gate, bell ringing patterns, and the patterns used for ornate iron gates, this piece fluctuates between the surreal and hyperreal where opposing deviations of notes sound in unison and its surrounding harmonic context rests on tentative consonance.
for solo cello (2025) written for Ozgur Kaya
Confetti Dirge is a piece that explores the aftermath of a celebration from a perspective of grief. You want to return to the celebration, to the music, to the euphoria, but you also know you have to leave it behind and let it all turn into memory.
recorder concerto (2024) commissioned by Luca Imperiale and the Horsham Symphony Orchestra
Written for Luca Imperiale and the Horsham Symphony Orchestra, Thomas was approached by Imperiale in June of 2023 to write this piece for the premier two years in the future. After meeting with conductor of the orchestra, Steve Dummer, Thomas began gathering materials and inspiration for what would be his largest undertaking yet.
During a trip to Sydney in August of 2023, Thomas and a friend visited and camped at The Basin in Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park on Darramurra-gal country. Nearing the end of the Australian winter, the campgrounds were all but empty, save for brush turkeys and wallabies. Gazing into the ocean inlet, and at the surrounding cliffs, it was hard to not feel an intense sense of the sublime. The night they camped; Thomas had a very vivid dream, where we begin the first movement...
Luca Imperiale and the HSO rehearsing Angels on the beach at night © Ali Imperiale
© 2025 Thomas Shorthouse