Joan of Arc Variations is not a literal or biographical narrative of the 'Maid of Orléans'. It is, however, inspired by the spirit of a strong female protagonist, warrior-like and driven by divine purpose. The opening C minor theme, in the style of a battlefield march, is the subject of numerous contextual transformations and varying characterizations. This work is a tribute to courageous women, past and present, who, with the backbone of Jeanne d'Arc, have faced extraordinary challenges. The names of many brave women spring to mind. A small sample is cited here: 18th-century writer, Mary Wollstonecraft; Susan B. Anthony and the suffragists; Rosa Parks; Helen Keller; and modern-day heroine, Malala Yousafzai.
 
Commissioned by Musica Viva and premiered by Tamara Anna Cislowska and the Orava Quartet at the Huntington Estate Music Festival 2016 in Australia.