Another fabulous outing for my poem 'The Leaving of St Kilda' set to music for four voices by Fraser MacDonald. This time part of a concert sung by the St Giles Cathedral choir commemorating 750 years of the Auld Alliance between Scotland and France.
What an honour to be part of such a prestigious event - the Mayor and other Scottish dignitaries, representatives from the French Institute and all the Great and the Good of Edinburgh in a packed cathedral. Also great for Fraser's music to be performed alongside luminaries such as Fauré and James MacMillan. I was thrilled that my wee poem was also part of an event with Scotland's Makar (poet laureate), Padraig MacAoidh/Peter MacKay reading his poem Coille Lan de Shaorsa/A Whole Forest of Liberty.
The text of Fraser's music was introduced as by the 'Scottish' poet, Stephanie Green. Well, I have ne'er a drop of Scottish blood but we have lived here for 25 years, so it is my adopted country. Besides, mentioning I am English (half Irish) might not have gone down well at an event celebrating an alliance against the common enemy, England!
Expect a moving blend of Scottish and French music performed in the majestic setting of St Giles’, echoing centuries of cultural friendship.
Master of the Music - Jack Oades
Organist - Jordan English
Programme
Kyrie Eleison (from Messe Solenelle) - Louis Vierne (1870-1937)
Ave Maris Stella - Guillame Dufay (c1397-c1474)
O Radiant Dawn - James MacMillan (b. 1959)
Notre Père - Maurice Duruflé (1902-1986)
Cantique de Jean Racine - Gabriel Fauré (1845-1924)
Sicilienne (Pelléas et Mélisande) - Gabriel Fauré
White-note paraphrase - James MacMillan
Hymn à la Vierge - Pierre Villette (1926-1998)
A New Song - James MacMillan
Leaving St Kilda - Fraser MacDonald (b. 2001)
Loch Lomond - Traditional, arr. David Overton
Gloria in Excelsis - (from Messe Solenelle) - Louis Vierne
