Losgaintir

Losgaintir Written for Katrina Marzella and the Black Dyke band, Losgaintir (or Luskentyre in English) is one of my favourite places in Scotland. Losgaintir is on the west coast of the isle of Harris in the Outer Hebrides and has an outstanding beach widely regarded as one of the most beautiful in the world. Losgaintir is a wonderful place to be on warm sunny days, with its long stretch of white sands, aqua marine seas, the incredible mountain backdrop of south Lewis and the uninhabited island of Taransaigh in view. But the weather is notorious for changing very quickly and this piece tries to reflect this. Although idyllic on a calm, sunny days, on stormy days Losgaintir’s character becomes dark and foreboding, with low dark clouds and sweeping winds from the Atlantic creating a dark, brooding atmosphere. The opening melody (written modally like a traditional Scottish Gaelic air) depicts the calm serenity of Losgaintir on a beautiful summer’s day. The character of the fast section that follows portrays winter in Losgaintir during a tempestuous storm with bracing winds. Includes score & parts