SKU: FT.FM628

ISBN 9790570485277.

‘P lateau of Dances with a Scottish Flavour’ Plateau of Dances with a Scottish Flavour was composed in autumn 2016, Eastbourne, and is inspired by my childhood in Doune, Perthshire; as well as the Ceilidhs and Fèis (cultural festival in the Highlands) my daughter, Clara, and I were immersed in when we lived in the picturesque village of Kingussie, Badenoch and Strathspey. The four dances are a celebration of my love and nostalgia for Scotland, and an expression of my family’s Scottish memories. Each dance comes with a quote from my favourite poet, Robert Burns, whose insightful and sensitive observations are a poignant appreciation of everyday life. Why the reference to Scottish food? Because this piece is dedicated to my father, Papou, who appreciates a merry supper. The 1st Movement, 'To the Mighty Haggis', is a Strathspey with its characteristic Scotch snap -a short-long rhythm, as if saying the word ‘haggis’; which is fitting as the Scottish bard’s quote comes from his poem Address to a Haggis, traditionally said on Burns’ Night. The 2nd Movement, 'The Humble Shortbread', is a Reel; as is usually the case in Scottish dances. It should be played with a slightly ‘snappy’, swung rhythm. 'What though on homely fare we dine, [...] A man is a man for all that' comes from my favourite Burns’ poem: A Man's a Man for A' That. And who doesn’t enjoy the humble shortbread? There is a more reflective, nostalgic mood to the 3rd Movement, 'Ode to the Homely (salty) Porridge'. The Air is a reminiscence of the quiet evenings Clara and I would spend in Kingussie, with our view of the beautifully haunting mountains. 'What will I get to my supper, [...] Ye'se get a panfu' o' plumpin parridge' comes from Burns’ The Shepherd’s Wife who tries to entice her husband back home with the promise of porridge (the Scottish way: with salt). Finally, the 4th Movement, 'Too Many Drams of Whisky', is a cheerful and lively Jig. It’s the convivial merriness of being with friends and family, maybe at a Ceilidh, with a wink to Scotland’s ‘water of life’. 'We'll tak a cup o' kindness yet, For auld lang syne' comes from Burns’ famous Auld Lang Syne: a fitting end to our musical and culinary tour of Scotland.

SKU: HL.48024525

ISBN 9781784544072. UPC: 888680925680. 7.0x10.5x0.212 inches.

The Death of Oscar (2012) is a miniature tone poem drawing upon the legend of the bardic poet Ossian and the death of his son Oscar. In the legends of Ossian, Oscar challenged the High King Cairbre to single combat and, though victorious, died of his wounds and was mourned by his father and lover. These tales collected by James MacPherson in the 18th century have long been debated as regards their authenticity, but what is not in doubt is the massive influence they had on perceptions of Scottish and Celtic culture, particularly overseas - admired by political figures such as Napoleon and Thomas Jefferson and inspiring Romantic artists from Mendelssohn in Fingal's Cave to Goethe in Die Leiden des jungen Werther.