Written in 1976 for the New Zealand cellist Christopher Salmon, these four Inventions for solo cello are for ambitious students at college level.
The first piece is dramatic and declamatory, working the opening Eflat, G, Fsharp, A motif very tightly.
The second piece is like a slow Sarabande, with double and triple stops in abundance.
The third piece starts very mysteriously, with a melody in harmonics. A new melody follows, involving quicker notes and the two ideas alternate in a free-wheeling fashion.
The final piece is rhythmic and syncopated, roving all over the cello. It refers back to the opening motif of the first piece.