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Tam o' Shanter
| Composed |
1959 |
| Duration |
27' |
| Instrumentation |
1st version 1959: Strings, percussion, 2 pianos and combined school choirs SAB
2nd version 1986: Full Orchestra, junior strings, junior percussion, adult SAB, and treble choruses |
| Comments |
The composer musing on the writing of 'Tam'...
"Once under way the ideas came fast and furious; in fact I
could almost say the poem wrote the music. From the warm conviviality
of Tam and Souter Johnnie, to his sulky sullen Kate, fuming
at home; from his brave ride through the storm, to the skirling
pipes of Auld Nick and the horrible sights in Kirk Alloway;
from Tam's bewitched wonder at Nannie's capers in her cutty
sark, to his frantic and near-fatal race against her to the
key-stane of the brig; all these and many smaller touches
seemed to create their own music." |
| Performances |
Aberdeen Music Hall, 1959.
Fortrose Academy, 1966.
Eden Court Theatre, Inverness, 1986.* |
| Reviews |
"A delightful piece full of musical colour." North Star.
"...entertaining and dramatic work, sometimes reflective,
often exciting...frequently spectacular...the line 'weel
done cutty sark' was written and performed with distinct
impact..." Press and Journal.
The packed theatre, with an audience ranging in age from
two upwards, showed great appreciation of all the items,
but most applause went to John Bevan Baker's choral setting
of Tam o' Shanter. Inverness Courier |
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* On this occasion the Scottish Chamber Orchestra performed and the composer conducted |
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