The Imagined Sound of Sun on Stone (1999)
(Concerto for Soprano Saxophone and Orchestra)

I have drawn on music from various cultures to create a ‘hymn’ in celebration of the coming of light and the turning of seasons.

The piece begins with a reference to a Swedish herding call - a special high-pitched song which carries over long distances. This music returns as a refrain throughout. The first part of the piece is inspired by ancient natural horns and primitive drumming, interspersed with more modern ‘blues’ harmonies, and the climax is reached as a bell-like clamour in C major, depicting the moment at the solstice when light enters the prehistoric tomb.

After this the music becomes more fragmentary; half-heard glimpses; as if the shaft of light has somehow released sounds stored in stone for milleniae; layers of music long forgotten. Christian influences appear, drawing on psalms and chants from different traditions celebrating the enlightenment of Whitsun.

The concerto lasts for 20 minutes and is in a single movement.

The piece was commissioned by the St. Magnus Festival and the Swedish Chamber Orchestra with a subsidy from the Scottish Arts Council and the Swedish Cultural Council. Financial assistance towards the preparation of performing material was given by the Scottish Arts Council, the Holst Foundation, and the St. Magnus Festival.

The first performance was by John Harle and the Scottish Chamber Orchestra on 21st June 1999 at the St. Magnus Festival and was conducted by Joseph Swenson.

The first Swedish performance was by John Harles and the Swedish Chamber Orchestra on 16th September 1999 at Örebro and was conducted by Justin Brown.