O Columba: the Latin text and basic melodic ideas are derived from fragments of 14th century plainchant found in a document known as the Inchcolm Antiphoner. Commissioned by Cadenza, who gave the first performance in August 2003. Duration 14'. 2 versions:
A Hymn To God The Father: a setting of the poem by John Donne (1573 – 1631). The first section of the piece is lyrical. This is followed by a rhythmical, contrapuntal section in 7/8 time. Duration 5' 30''. 2 versions:
Song for St. Cecilia: a setting of words from John Dryden's Song for St. Cecilia's Day, 1687. Commissioned by the Hadley Court Singers, with subsidy from the Scottish Arts Council. Duration 6'. 2 versions:
The orchestral version is scored for 2fl, 2 ob, 2 cl (in A), 2 bsn, 4 hn, 2 tpt (in Bb), 2 trb, timps, perc (1 player), strings.
Jubilate Deo: a rhythmical and modern setting. Duration 3'. 2 versions:
A Farewell: a setting of a beautiful and moving poem by the New Zealand poet, A.R.D. Fairburn. Duration 3' 30''. 2 versions:
Night Song: another of A.R.D. Fairburn's beautiful poems. Duration 1' 45''.
Poem: a longer poem by A.R.D. Fairburn. Duration 6'.
The three settings of Fairburn's poems (above) can be performed individually or as part of a suite for unaccompanied SATB. The total duration of this suite is approx. 12'. The order of pieces is Night Song – Poem – A Farewell.
Everytime It Rains Lke This: another lovely poem from New Zealand; this one is by Sam Hunt. Duration 5'.
The Three Mysteries: the text in this piece is taken from 3 poems by the Orcadian writer, Edwin Muir (1887 – 1959). The 3 poems are The heart could never speak, Song, If I could know. Duration 11' 30''. 3 versions:
The Land We Love: words that celebrate the Scottish borders by Will H. Ogilvie. The melody is original. Duration 5' 30''.
In Flanders Fields: a setting of the famous World War 1 poem by the Canadian, John McCrae. Duration 5'.
Happed In Mist: an arrangement of a song by Scottish singer/songwriter, Michael Marra. The words tell the story of a soldier in WW1 who is shot for desertion. The song is based on the character Ewan, from the novel Sunset Song by Lewis Grassic Gibbon. Duration 4'.
No Man's Land: an arrangement of the famous contemporary folk song by Eric Bogle (a Scot who emigrated to Australia). This moving song (sometimes known by the title, The green fields of France) is also about the Great War. Duration 10'.
This arrangement has also been recorded on CD by the National Youth Choir of Scotland. The details can be found here.
These last three pieces can be performed individually or as part of a 'Great War suite'. In addition to the shared theme of war, there is also a shared musical theme – the traditional tune, The flowers of the forest – which appears in all three pieces. The total duration of the 'suite' is 19', and the order of pieces should be as follows: In Flanders Fields – Happed In Mist – No man's Land.