Poetic element to music collaboration
A variety of creative forces have combined to ensure a piece set to be rehearsed by Crieff Choral Group is very much a team effort.
Talented local group members are to meet virtually next month under the baton of conductor Ulrike Wutscher to perform ‘The Gean Trees’.
The piece started life as a poem by writer Violet Jacob and has been adapted for choral performances with piano accompaniment by Perth-based composer Helen MacKinnon, with lyrics set to music by Syd House following initial research by fellow PlaidSong member Nicky Small.
Alison Martin is chair of Crieff Choral Group. She explained the idea for the collaboration was sparked during an online discussion organised by Making, a UK-wide membership organisation for leisure-time music.
Alison said: “One of the ideas in the discussion was to approach a composer and commission them to write something for your choir to sing.
“I was talking to Nicky and Syd during a socially-distant coffee and they suggested a new piece they created during lockdown called ‘The Gean Trees’.”
Nicky – who works with Culture Perth and Kinross – performs traditional music with Syd as part of PlaidSong and has previously entertained at The House of Dun near Montrose, which was the home of Violet Jacob.
Scots wordsmith Jacob (1863-1946) is known for Jacobite novel ‘Flemington’, but it was her poetry that sparked the imagination on this occasion.
Nicky said: “The poems are lyrical, soulful and really cry out to be set to music – so we did.”
‘ The Gean Trees’ can be found in Jacob’s collection ‘Songs of Angus 1915’.
Named after wild cherry trees, the poem was described as an exact fit for a melody retired forester and ecologist Syd had been working on previously.
Taking up the story, Alison continued: “As well as composing for female voices in Oxford, a new commission as part of Perth Festival of the Arts saw Helen’s modern setting of Psalm 96 ‘Sing to the Lord a new Song’ premiere in May 2016 in Perth.
“Nicky was one of the singers on that occasion and knew that Helen would be the perfect person to adapt and develop ‘The Gean Trees’.
“Syd and Nicky approached Helen to create the arrangement into soprano, alto, tenor and bass with piano accompaniment.”
Alison added: “Crieff Choral Group has been rehearsing via Zoom since September.
“Our pieces for a programme ‘Songs from the Hills’ have included songs by Brahms, Elgar and traditional Scottish songs collected by Marjory Kennedy Fraser.
“We are thrilled that in January we will start Zoom rehearsals of ‘The Gean Trees’.
“We are rehearsing via Zoom until we are able to sing in person.
“Anyone who would like to join Crieff Choral Group to sing this wonderful collection of songs can go to our website, click on ‘Contact’ and complete the form.”
• See the website www.crieffchoral.co.uk for more information.