The Birlinn

“The Birlinn” is an epic Gaelic poem about a sea voyage. It’s been translated into English by Edinburgh poet Donald Campbell, and we’ve worked together to set it to music: the first three movements (in their versions for SATB and piano) were premiered on 12th November 2017 by Edinburgh Napier Chamber Choir, conducted by Michael Harris and with Peter Backhouse on piano.

“Incitement to Sailing” was selected for London City Chorus’ concert on 6th July 2018, one of 3 works chosen from over 100 submissions (“They” by Alison Willis, with my words, was also selected!) See concert details here.

You can listen to two of the movements below:

Perusal scores for the SATB versions:
Blessing on the Ship – SATB and piano
On The Savage Sea – SATB or SABar
Incitement to Sailing – SATB and piano

Perusal scores for the TBarB versions:
Blessing on the Ship – TBarB and piano
On The Savage Sea – TBarB
Incitement to Sailing – TBarB and piano

I’m also working on arranging these for 2-part and SABar choirs – contact me if you’re interested in performing the piece in any of those versions.

For SATB choirs, please order copies from MusicSpoke.

For TBarB or other choirs: for all three movements together, the price is £3 + postage for a printed copy, or £40 flat rate for a PDF to print as many copies as you need for your choir.

Individual movements: Blessing on the Ship £20 (£1.50/copy), On The Savage Sea £10 (50p/copy), Incitement to Sailing £25 (£2/copy).

I would also be very happy to hear from any choir wishing to commission further movements for performance: there are many more sections of The Birlinn that I am keen to set to music, especially if a choir wants to sing them.