Patrick’s Planets

Composed in 2004 for Solo Piano

Student / Very Accessible

Duration: 10 minutes

Published: Canadian Music Centre (Toronto)

As the name might suggest, Patrick’s Planets were written as pedagogical pieces for the composer’s son Patrick. He performed three of them before moving on to more advanced repertoire, including a movement of another Armstrong piece – Scorpio.

Patrick’s performance of Saturn at 2005 Contemporary Showcase earned him a spot at the Gala Concert in Ottawa.

Each of the pieces is a character piece focusing on one particular technique or musical idea.