Chaconne (2015)

This Chaconne takes as its starting point a song by Robert Burns: The Slave’s Lament. In 2014 I was asked by the Scottish artist Graham Fagan to make a string arrangement of this tune as part of his installation in the Venice Biennale, which explored themes of displacement and longing. It was sung by the reggae artist Ghetto Priest, who brought a poignancy to it which I found intensely moving.

In this Chaconne for organ, each section is a variation on the tune, referring either to the melody, the harmony, or the bass line.

The piece is firmly rooted in E minor, but a recurring chromatic figure constantly threatens to undermine this, like a knife twisting. The melody of the original lament is fragmented and dispersed so that only the merest shavings are heard.

The piece is dedicated to David Titterington, who helped me discover the clarity and range of colour offered by the outstanding instrument in the Royal Festival Hall.

Chaconne was commissioned by the Southbank Centre and first performed by David Titterington in the Royal Festival Hall in February 2016.