Scenes from the Scottish Highlands

Program Notes

This suite consists of five Scottish melodies based on Granville Bantock's setting for string orchestra.

Strathspey: A dance named after the Strathspey region of Scotland, following the River Spey. It is characterized by the "snaps" in its rhythm, also reflected in the dance itself.

Dirge: A lament depicting the loneliness on the Isle of Mull. Far in the north, treacherous waters and rocky shores isolate these islands under dense fog and mist.

Quickstep: A quick two-beat march-style piece with a unique tonality in its writing. Meetings for Scottish sports like the Inverness Gathering would be one place to hear this music.

Gaelic Melody: A sorrowful air called "Lady Anne Bothwell's Lament." Written in the form of a cradle-song, it tells a tragic story between mother and child. The first few lines read:

Baloo, my boy, lie still and sleep;
It grieves me sore to hear thee weep.

Reel: A popular Scottish dance tune. Its excitement and liveliness heat up until the very end, reminiscent of bagpipes and dancing.

Instrumentation

Flute Choir -

2 Flutes
2 Alto Flutes
1 Bass Flute
1 Contrabass Flute

Contrabass flute may be doubled or substituted with a second bass flute.