BBC Proms Highly Commended Piece 2020.

A Sound Journey into the Inner & Outer Landscapes of the Scottish Highlands.

As you look out over the hill shapes you feel your way over the hill shapes your eyes walk over the slopes the hill that was bright is now dark a blue butterfly’s moment on a purple thistle flower* 

Thomas A. Clarke, One Hundred Thousand Places.

Scotland truly offers 100,000 beautiful epiphany moments - in every glen, at the top of every mountain, across each remote bay. This is a place to lose - and then find yourself.

I wanted to write a piece that felt like ‘poetry of place’. To capture the energy, the wildness, and serenity of the Highlands - the outer typography of the Scottish

Highlands.

I also wanted to capture the energy and effect of the landscape on the inner-self - and map this typography into the music also.

One Hundred Thousand Places attempts to interweave both these inner and outer experiences and evoke them in the listener.

*The Title was Inspired by Thomas A. Clark’s Poem, The Hundred Thousand Places - a Scottish Poet based on the East Highland Coast of Scotland.

ONE HUNDRED THOUSAND PLACES* A Sound Journey into the Inner & Outer Landscapes of the Scottish Highlands A Sound Journey of 5 one-minute movements

1. Sunlight Dances Inspired by the magical pools & falls, Isle of Skye. This is a place with a sense of innocence (they call it the land of fairy). Pools, water and cascading waterfalls shimmer in the sunlight. The harp represents the crystal light dancing across the tumbling waters. The clarinet gives a sense of loss we all have if we stop believing in fairy tales and myths. The tubular bell warns us of an inner sense of sadness if we don’t believe in myth & legend.

2. The colours of clouds Inspired by the changing weather above the Silvers and beaches of Morar- the cascading clouds and their ever-changing colours are representing by the twist and turn of the oboe. The woodwind swells represent the ebb & flow the sea. The together represent the harmony of all- natural things in flow with each other.

3. Cathedrals in the sky Inspired by the mighty Lovers Rock*, St Kilda. The melody on the clarinet represents the strength of bond found in true love. The harp depicts the also delicate nature of love. The crashing gong and cymbals represent the sea below. * It is called Lover’s Rock because traditionally to be married couples would visit it - where upon the groom to be would have to prove his love by climbing to the top of this dangerous precipice and then stand on the top, on one leg swearing his undying love for his bride to be!

4. In Wind’s Edge Inspired by Arisaig, Morar and the vast views out to the Isle along golden beaches. The orchestration represents the light dancing, shimmering, breaking through the clouds to provide flashes of light. The flute represents a lone sea eagle whilst the harp represents the orca whales crashing back into the sea which you can observe from the shimmering golden sands.

5. Circle of Light Sithean More (Angel Hill Stone Circle) Iona. A place which allows you to come full circle. To renew that lost sense of innocence. The timpani represents the heart - as it flutters back to life. The harp’s circular motif represents the stone circles. The trumpet heralds the triumph of coming full circle - of coming home.