The Academy of St Martin in the Fields to celebrate Sally's 70th birthday
- May 13
- 2 min read
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 in the solo parts, and the piece was the result of many discussions and ideas from all three. The title means ‘Seafarers’ and refers both to the seafaring people of the North Sea, and to the two soloists: Chris Stout, from Shetland, and Catriona McKay, from Dundee. The stretch of water between these two Northerly ports has claimed countless lives over the centuries, but is also one of the most beautiful and romantic seascapes in the world – home to seabirds, whales, dolphins and endless changes of light and weather. Strong emotions are always connected to dangerous journeys, and this piece reflects the anticipation, fear, comradeship and adventure of sea voyaging.
The new work in the concert, IZAKHI, was commissioned by Tapiola Sinfonietta, The Academy of St Martin the Fields, Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra and the Swedish Chamber Orchestra. The piece was written following an inspirational trip to South Africa in 2024. The original idea, conceived with dedicatee Michael Collins, was to write a ‘four elements’ work; but the entire concept of the elements was altered by the experience of visiting this extraordinary, beautiful and troubled country. The title, IZAKHI, is the Zulu word for ‘elements’, in the sense of building blocks – or the materials used to create our habitats. It also refers to those who build – who create those habitats from assembled resources.
Sally has a deep relationship with the Academy of St Martin in the Fields. She was the orchestra's first Composer in Residence, performed in the orchestra for several years as a viola player and her mother, violinist Ursula Snow, was a member of the orchestra before her.
Programme:
Bach | Brandenburg Concerto No.3 with Beamish’s Slow Movement
Beamish | IZAKHI (new commission)
Beamish | Seavaigers
Respighi | The Birds
Benjamin Marquise Gilmore – Director
Michael Collins – Basset Clarinet
Chris Stout – Violin
Catriona McKay – Harp