To mark her seventieth birthday, Sally Beamish returns to the instrument that has shaped her musical life: the viola. House of Wonder explores recent works written by Beamish for herself to play, alongside new pieces she has commissioned especially for this recording from her three children – themselves all accomplished musicians – and other close collaborators. Autobiography runs through the programme. Childhood memories surface in Crescent; poetry and jazz inflections shape the intimate...

On 11 June, the Academy of St Martin in the Fields celebrates Sally's 70th birthday with a programme including the UK premiere of co-commission IZAKHI, a basset clarinet concerto with Michael Collins, and Seavaigers, a concerto for fiddle and lever harp, written for and performed by Chris Stout and Catriona McKay. Seavaigers is a collaboration between Sally and two of the foremost soloists in the Celtic tradition: Chris Stout and Catriona McKay. The score leaves space for much improvisation...

Andante Lacrimoso and Presto Giocoso after Mozart’s Sinfonia Concertante K364 When my friend and colleague Omer Wellber approached me with his idea of a response to a great work, I was a little daunted to say the least. What could I add? What could I bring to an already perfect creation? In the end I knew I must let go of any inhibitions, and simply - respond. I chose the Mozart because I love it, and know it well - and I wondered if it would be interesting, and fun, to add further soloists...