EYEBRIGHT
YEAR: 2019
DURATION: 7′
INSTRUMENTATION: 7 vn. 2 vla. 2 vc. db
SELECTED PERFORMANCES:
15 December 2019, Wilmslow United Reformed Church, Wilmslow
The Lindow Ensemble
23 and 24 April 2022 , The Heritage Centre, Macclesfield and The Stoller Hall, Manchester
Northern Chamber Orchestra
COMMISSION:
Commissioned by The Lindow Ensemble
NOTES: The starting point for this work was visits I made to wildflower meadows being created and conserved in Cheshire, and reflections on our inter-connections with the natural world. Eyebright is a wildflower which keeps vigorous grasses at bay, allowing more delicate wildflowers to thrive. It has a long history of use as a herbal medicine.
The picture shows part of a 5-panel piece by Val Hudson, which I commissioned from her. Val often takes music as an inspiration for her pictures, and for this painting she listened to some of my compositions as she worked, particularly Eyebright and my first String Quartet Bodnant.
‘I was certainly transported into a sunlit meadow during Eyebright; the different textures and colours of sound are so evocative and uplifting.’ (Audience member)
‘Eyebright was well received by the audience – as the applause showed – and by the players too as it is so well written for strings. It had a wonderful serenity about it, especially in the closing slow section.’ (John Phillips; Chairman, Northern Chamber Orchestra)