LeFanu: After Lindisfarne

Description

These three miniatures are linked by shared ideas, but separately characterised, as their titles suggest: Prelude, Study (moto perpetuo) and Nocturne. I have aimed to write for the beautiful tone quality of the horn, as well as its capacity for timbral variation and microtonal inflection. Each miniature lasts a couple of minutes.

The title After Lindisfarne reflects my love of visiting 'Holy Island' in Northumberland. Prelude (Crossing the Causeway) suggests the spacious sands – serene or treacherous, according to the tide. Study (In the sand dunes) evokes the unfrequented wild places along the north coast of the island.

At night, the sound of Lindisfarne is the 'song' of the seals. Nocturne (St Cuthbert's isle and seals) conjures up something of this haunting soundscape:

'the isle is full of noises sounds and sweet airs, that give delight and hurt not.'

After Lindisfarne for solo horn is one of a collection of 200 solo pieces written to celebrate the bicentenary of the Royal Academy of Music in 2022. The first soloist being Joseph Longstaff.

NL 2020