Compositions

For me, music is not the warm blanket, the quiet cows in the meadow. Nor is it some arcane sophistry, braying from the ivory tower. It is the mythic sword of flames. It is the mournful tolling bell, the impenetrable blackness of the blasted abyss. It is soaring cold peaks and the mystical Elven vale. It is lightning and sulphur, elation and sorrow, dark emerald and dungeon stone.

Writing medieval and fantasy-inspired music has been my passion for over 25 years. On this page, you’ll find examples of my works, and many free downloads. The best way to hear my music, performed by some of the finest musicians in Australia, is by having a listen to my albums, New Carols and Songs For Chaucer’s Pilgrims and The Lost Codex of Avalon, and my upcoming album The Lost Codex of Avalon Vol II. Sheet music and recording links for my original compositions, my Renaissance Dance arrangements and my transcriptions all are below. I’ve also released a digital-only album of my arrangements of little-known English Country Dances collected in Playford (1651). It’s called Put Another Groat In The Dukebox, Milady, and you can order it here.

I love to have other people perform my works, or commission new work from me – for those things, please contact me.

The Lost Codex of Avalon Volume II is a unique medieval and fantasy collaboration between composer and performer David Yardley and some of Australia’s finest musicians from the Sydney Chamber Choir, the Song Company and Pastance, also featuring guest contributions by renowned New York-based medieval ensemble Concordian Dawn, under the direction of Christopher Preston Thompson.

Inspired by his lifelong immersion in authentic medieval sound, Yardley’s compositions conjure lost music of the mythic isle of Avalon, from Arthurian legend. The album journeys through long-forgotten medieval sacred and secular texts, whose music from their own time has not survived. It also includes musical settings of evocative fantasy poetry and contemporary Australian works, including by award-winning poet Anne Casey.

A video with the stunning sound of The Song Company, rehearsing before our recording, is available here, along with some more info about the album.

Visit the Store page to order the new album, at the early price of $19.95 (USD). You will receive the music from the album as a direct download and on CD, as well as an album booklet.

Other original compositions for choirs and soloists

I have published a number of other secular and sacred works, in medieval English, modern English and Latin, including a prize-winning setting of Psalm 33 from the Middle English Wyclif Bible, professionally published by Wirripang. Sheet music for a selection of my works is available below for download, and some live performances are available on my youtube channel and below.

Performers should freely arrange as they see fit, introducing instrumental and percussion parts, adding dynamic markings, transposing to suit available voices and utilising solo and chorus variations. Many of the works are suited to female or male-voice ensembles. I am happy to discuss the performance of these pieces if you would like to contact me.

A second album of my compositions was released at the end of 2021 – titled The Lost Codex of Avalon. And my fourth album, The Lost Codex of Avalon Volume II, can be ordered now and is due to release in Decmeber 2023. A stunning video of my rehearsal with The Song Company is available here, along with some more info about the album. You can also find out more at my News page and my Store page.