The Return of Mackay’s Memoirs

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From Edinburgh
Supporting: Help Musicians Scotland
From: 28 nov 20:00 to 20:00 (Local time Edinburgh)

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The Return of Mackay’s Memoirs

This event took place on 4 March 2019, twenty years to the day after the original performance of the piece, which Martyn Bennett was commissioned to write to commemorate the centenary of his alma mater – Broughton High School. It was written for the then students at The City of Edinburgh Music School – hence the specific orchestration - in honour of the late Dr. Kenneth A Mackay of Badenoch. Martyn worked with the students to create the piece and would bring in scores – where the ink was literally still drying, in to rehearsals. The parts still bear his hand written notes, and were largely copied down by the conductor, Susan Emslie. The piece was used for the Opening Ceremony of the New Scottish Parliament in Princes Street Gardens on 1 July 1999, and televised live from the gardens as the Red Arrows flew over. There was great interest in the piece and it was recorded at Cava studios, Glasgow in January 2005 and completed on the day Martyn died - 30 January 2005. It is his final, and many would say, best work. Based around the theme and first variation of the piobaireachd 'Lament For Mary MacLeod', it explores the possibilities of pipe music as a basis for contemporary music. It was named Mackay's Memoirs after reading Dr Mackay's medical and personal journals written during his post as Free Church of Scotland missionary general practitioner in Moyobamba, Peru. The piece opens with Psalm 121 and features the pipes of both countries, along with voices, clarsach and the classical orchestra. We invited back four musicians who were involved in the original performance or recording to revisit the piece, with the current crop of specialist musicians from the music school. Clarsach: Maeve Gilchrist Pipes: Ben Duncan Beats and loops: Dave Lloyd Vocals and keys: Lissa Robertson The City of Edinburgh Music School Chamber Orchestra Conductor: Susan Emslie The film is accompanied by an experimental animated film by Neil Kempsell. It is a visual interpretation of Martyn's wonderful musical composition, inspired and influenced by the structure and melody of the soundtrack. Neil says, "I wanted to respond to the way the music had been composed, orchestrated and performed, and the way that the music evokes an emotion and vision of the island people, rich and varied wildlife and diverse landscapes." Full text: I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills from whence cometh my help The Lord is Thy shade upon Thy right hand The sun shall not smite thee by, nor the moon by night There is one other seldom seen Heard in the evenings from many mysterious corners Plaintive and sweet and truly melodious It is the ancient Indian pipe The tone of the flute And his voice is only lifted in the wailing, mournful, haunting strains of the music And the mourning of the music for the glory that was and is no more Ties the heartstrings Needs no translation The voice of a degraded and subjected mountain race For those who have heard the sending of sorrow Some ceol mor music The loved ones drowned Remembering its golden days Hebridean music is the national music Music of the sea Tradition Sea sorrow In the working out of the pibroch Heard in the evenings from many mysterious corners Plaintive and sweet and truly melodious It is the ancient incoherent pipe with the tone of the flute And his voice is only lifted in the wailing, mournful, haunting strains of music The same call that tugs the heart strings in the Hebridean music of the Highlands of Scotland And the mourning of the music Of the glory that was, and is no more There is one other seldom seen Heard in the evenings from many mysterious corners Plaintive and sweet and truly melodious It is the ancient Indian pipe The tone of the flute And his voice is only lifted in the wailing, mournful, haunting strains of the music I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills from whence cometh my help The Lord is Thy shade upon Thy right hand The sun shall not smite thee by, nor the moon by night Event videography: Sandy Butler Supported by Tay Charitable Trust. Presented by the City of Edinburgh Music School & The Queen’s Hall as part of The Queen's Hall's 40th Anniversary celebrations in 2019