The Wild Reeds (2013)

<i>The Wild Reeds</i> is a ten-minute partita, made up of an original theme followed by six variations, which are played continuously. The theme was partly inspired by folk music for outdoor wind instruments from eastern Europe, rugged yet delicate at the same time. Another important inspiration has been the organ sonorities which result from unusual divisions of the octave, producing strange chords and ghostly harmonisations of melodies. Above all, The Wild Reeds has been written for Thomas Trotter (who personally commissioned this music and gave much valuable advice during its composition) in honour of his remarkable thirty years as Birmingham City Organist.

Programme note © 2013 Judith Weir