Beamish, Sally_The Flittin’

This edition consists of two duet scores. From the composer: "Flittin’, in Scots, means ‘to move house’. Interestingly, the same word exists in the Scandinavian languages (flytta); but is not used in English in the same way. However, to the English ear the word has an airy lightness about it – a breezy optimism. Having spent nearly half my life in Scotland, my return to England in October 2018 filled me with apprehension, sadness, excitement – a mixture of conflicted emotions. Scottish music and landscape has informed a large part of my work since I moved there in 1990, and I will always feel an immense gratitude for the support and inspiration I received in my adopted homeland. I embarked on a series of ‘farewells’, intending to score them for 6,5,4,3,2 and 1 instrument(s) respectively. Priya Mitchell’s invitation to write a duo for the Oxford Chamber Music Festival also coincided with my intention to gift a piece to my long-time supporter and patron, Dr Gerry Mattock, in honour of hi