
THE SCOTTISH GALLERY, EDINBURGH - 6th June 5pm.
Please come to the online premiere of my latest commision,
Three Types of Light, a three movement duo for Soprano and clarinet, performed by Katherine Broderick and Jean Johnson.
These three songs are responses to the words of Christina de Luca and the paintings of Victoria Crowe. Each piece describes a particular quality of light, the resultant effects on the landscape, and one's relationship to it. I felt these perfect pairings on image and text needed only the lightest of touch to illuminate them, therefore my approach has been instinctive, organic and rather un-done. The songs were written in bursts of energy during the late winter of Scottish Lockdown. With so little daylight, and so little freedom, these pictures became wondrous windows; a way to be 'elsewhere', explore and breath a little deeper. The language is lyrical and simple, built of the familiar modes and tonalities that fell under my fingertips. The clarinet casts its many colours, weaving a supportive thread upon which the singer hangs her melodies. To watch on youtube please click below
Please come to the online premiere of my latest commision,
Three Types of Light, a three movement duo for Soprano and clarinet, performed by Katherine Broderick and Jean Johnson.
These three songs are responses to the words of Christina de Luca and the paintings of Victoria Crowe. Each piece describes a particular quality of light, the resultant effects on the landscape, and one's relationship to it. I felt these perfect pairings on image and text needed only the lightest of touch to illuminate them, therefore my approach has been instinctive, organic and rather un-done. The songs were written in bursts of energy during the late winter of Scottish Lockdown. With so little daylight, and so little freedom, these pictures became wondrous windows; a way to be 'elsewhere', explore and breath a little deeper. The language is lyrical and simple, built of the familiar modes and tonalities that fell under my fingertips. The clarinet casts its many colours, weaving a supportive thread upon which the singer hangs her melodies. To watch on youtube please click below
NEVIS ENSEMBLE - LOCHAN SKETCHES - LOCKDOWN COMMISSION SERIES.
Premiered on Radio Scotland 2020, and available to view at the Nevis Ensemble Website - Link below!
Steall Falls, Glen Nevis performed by Joanna Stark, and commissioned by poet Catherine L Ryan.
This piece is a response to the poem Steall Falls, Glen Nevis by Catherine Ryan. Written at a time of mourning, her words describe a real moment in time when the falls flow by her, and through their metaphor she explores her loss. The water journeys onwards – as it has done for all time. With all its memories and secrets encased within, she lets it go. The music is simple; a familiar language of modes and fifths that feels old and honest. It lilts and bends but tends gradually downwards through the a plain 3 note motif and the development of a ‘song’ from the water. The cellist vocalises as she plays, embedded in a gentle soundscape built of river, birds and meditative singing bowls.