A Myndinʼ (2018)

In 2018 I wrote a series of chamber pieces expressing a mix of emotions on leaving Scotland, where I had spent nearly half my life and raised a family. All these works draw on the Celtic influences that have shaped my music over the last 30 years.

The first of these, A Farewell, is for six violas, and the quintet Divertimenti is the second; followed by A Myndin’ for string quartet. Also in the series is the duet for clarinet and violin The Flittin’.

This little quartet is an expression of gratitude, and also of nostalgia. A myndin’, in Scots, means the ‘remembering’ of a person, by giving them a small gift or souvenir. It also means a memory.

The piece is reflective, and sometimes wistful. There is light as well as shade, and the small sighs that characterise the viola part are countered by open intervals and harmonics in the violins, and whimsical pizzicato.

In this case, the remembering is not only of Scotland and the inspiration I found there, but also of my former life in London, and the friends with whom I will reconnect.

This piece celebrates the 40th birthday of the Endellion Quartet, and is written in admiration and appreciation of their wonderful playing over the years.

It was commissioned by the Endellion String Quartet with generous support from Turner Sims Southampton, Lark Music and Brompton’s, and first performed at Turner Sims Concert Hall, Southampton, on 26th February 2019.