Plateau of Dances with a Scottish Flavour

Description

‘Plateau of Dances with a Scottish Flavour’ was composed in autumn 2016, Eastbourne, and is inspired by my childhood in Doune, Perthshire; as well as the Ceilidhs and Fèis (cultural festival in the Highlands) my daughter, Clara, and I were immersed in when we lived in the picturesque village of Kingussie, Badenoch and Strathspey. The four dances are a celebration of my love and nostalgia for Scotland, and an expression of my family’s Scottish memories. Each dance comes with a quote from my favourite poet, Robert Burns, whose insightful and sensitive observations are a poignant appreciation of everyday life. Why the reference to Scottish food? Because this piece is dedicated to my father, Papou, who appreciates a merry supper.   The 1st Movement, ‘To the Mighty Haggis’, is a Strathspey with its characteristic Scotch snap -a short-long rhythm, as if saying the word ‘haggis’; which is fitting as the Scottish bard’s quote comes from his poem Address to a Haggis, traditionally said on Burns’ Night.     The 2nd Movement, ‘The Humble Shortbread’, is a Reel; as is usually the case in Scottish dances. It should be played with a slightly ‘snappy’, swung rhythm.  ‘What though on homely fare we dine, […] A man is a man for all that’ comes from my favourite Burns’ poem: A Man’s a Man for A’ That. And who doesn’t enjoy the humble shortbread?  There is a more reflective, nostalgic mood to the 3rd Movement, ‘Ode to the Homely (salty) Porridge’. The Air is a reminiscence of the quiet evenings Clara and I would spend in Kingussie, with our view of the beautifully haunting mountains.  ‘What will I get to my supper, […] Ye’se get a panfu’ o’ plumpin parridge’ comes from Burns’ The Shepherd’s Wife who tries to entice her husband back home with the promise of porridge (the Scottish way: with salt).   Finally, the 4th Movement, ‘Too Many Drams of Whisky’, is a cheerful and lively Jig. It’s the convivial merriness of being with friends and family, maybe at a Ceilidh, with a wink to Scotland’s ‘water of life’.  ‘We’ll tak a cup o’ kindness yet, For auld lang syne’ comes from Burns’ famous Auld Lang Syne: a fitting end to our musical and culinary tour of Scotland.