Thanks for uploading; just starting to work on this with Cairngorm Orch.

This is a 5-minute sample of the music I wrote for piano and orchestra describing a traverse of the Black Cuillin Ridge in Skye. The landscape is unique in Britain, being the most Alpine mountain chain of sharp peaks, narrow ridges and deep rocky corries. The ridge can be traversed in a long, tiring day. The music describes this. This sample presents the elation at reaching the first peak, the ridge walk and the wild corries.

Black Cuillin Ridge (Sample)

This is the first of two companion pieces to the famous unfinished work of Franz Schubert. These pieces were "to cheer Schubert up" after failing to complete his 8th Symphony. They do not complete the symphony, but go some way to satisfying the ear when played to follow the first two movements. This 1st new companion references Schubert's lightweight scherzo style, but the trio is a dreamlike section of flowing lines and passing dissonances. This companion is called Morpheus, after a Greek god of dreams who appeared as a shape-shifting demon.

A New Companion (1)

This is the second new Companion to cheer Schubert up. While the anxiety he conveyed in his own 8th Symphony is still here, rearing up in a variety of forms, like someone complaining about a variety of misfortunes, the general trend is for this anxiety to be soothed and dissipated as the movement goes on. A kind of "questing and coming home" story, finishing with the opening notes repeated, but in reverse order. The name of this Companion is Pacithea, after a Greek goddess who calms things down, mother of Morpheus.

Another New Companion (2)

I'm still beavering away composing more than ever now my 40-year career as a countryside ranger is over. The places I have lived are the greatest sources of inspiration, and I'm very grateful for the support I've received from a wide range of listeners. In 2017 I moved from the Cairngorms to near Kyle of Lochalsh where I operate as a mountain guide in Skye.

A New Companion (1)

Nic56

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