Introduction

Classic Fair Isle is scored for horn, clarinet, violin, 'cello, baritone, folk band (typically fiddle, guitar or accordion and boran) and chorus (SATB). It will be in three parts and will last for approximately 30 minutes.
 

The first part is an introduction to the island, describing its location and physical and social characteristics. The text is taken from the booklet 'Safeguarding Our Heritage¹ by N. Riddiford but also quotes related passages from historical and local sources. These are narrated over an accompaniment from the professional quartet whose music parallels the beam of a lighthouse as it sweeps an unknown void. Gradually the light illuminates objects making them clearer and more familiar - like seeing the detail of Fair Isle grow increasingly well defined as you sail towards it from Sumburgh Head.

Throughout the movement the chorus play bell-like instruments leading up to the ringing of an actual bell. As the island church¹s bells signify a calling together for worship, so too this bell spells a musical calling together - that the Fair Isle story is about to begin...

The second and third parts are structured around the seasons - natural, familiar phenomenon which directly influence the island¹s life. The second part deals with Summer, Autumn and Winter and the third part, with Spring.

The majority of the second part is for baritone and quartet, though the chorus sing a short song each season (to either introduce the season or emphasis the baritone¹s text). The folk band also play towards the end of the movement (off stage or in a corner) superimposed on the baritone solo.  The baritone¹s text is a new piece, inspired by the poems and stories of the islander¹s, written by the librettist Jonathan Lennie.

The three seasons are used as a broad parallel to a journey from the sea to the home. The baritone depicts the journey and describes the activities that occur on the island during these seasons:

Summer - coming ashore with the catch - maritime themes such as the sinking

of the El Gran Grifon - the Fishing Hands.

Autumn - walking towards home through the harvested fields - hay making - crafts (violins, yoles, weaving, stained glass, silverware etc.)

Winter - arriving home - protected from the elements - music - dancing.

Modernisation is also gradually introduced through the seasons. Summer is the 'old¹, traditional way of life, Autumn shows the introduction of machinery and Winter brings the electric lights... Winter, the bleakest month, also deals with the question: what is the island¹s future? Will the children return? The problems of over-fishing - the future of the natural balance in such a small island world...

From the bleak Winter month, which poses serious questions regarding the future of the island, the final movement deals with Spring - resurgence - awakening after darkness - new life - new year - growth -

This part is for the quartet and chorus and sets texts by the island¹s school children. These texts consist of words which they associated with 'Fair Isle Music¹ and which when read, create both simple, beautiful descriptions but also surreal, dramatic images. Both of these sum up, for me, the sights and sounds of the isle in the purest possible way. This 'youthful¹ text demonstrates that the island does have a future and that even though some of the younger generation leave the island, it is a central part of their thoughts, characters and hearts. The music is based around the passacaglia form (variations over a constantly revolving theme) paralleling both the cyclic nature of the seasons and also the various cycles of island life. The chorus parts punctuate the quartet¹s music which is upbeat, fresh and exciting, anticipating the next chapter...

A.S.