Judith Weir
Ettrick Banks
Works Info
Composer:Judith WeirGenre:KeyboardStyle:KeyboardAverage_duration:4:42'Ettrick Banks' is a composition by Judith Weir, a British composer born in 1954. The piece was composed in 1990 and premiered on October 25th of the same year at the Queen Elizabeth Hall in London. 'Ettrick Banks' is a work for solo piano and consists of three movements. The first movement, titled 'The Bonnie Earl of Murray', is a slow and mournful piece that evokes the tragic story of the Earl of Murray, who was murdered in 1592. The second movement, 'The Water is Wide', is a more lively and rhythmic piece that takes its inspiration from a traditional Scottish folk song of the same name. The final movement, 'Ettrick Banks', is a fast and energetic piece that brings the work to a thrilling conclusion. The characteristics of 'Ettrick Banks' are deeply rooted in Scottish folk music, which is a major influence on Weir's work. The use of traditional melodies and rhythms, as well as the incorporation of Scottish folklore and history, give the piece a distinctly Scottish flavor. At the same time, Weir's modernist approach to composition is evident in the way she reinterprets these traditional elements, creating a work that is both contemporary and deeply rooted in tradition. Overall, 'Ettrick Banks' is a powerful and evocative work that showcases Weir's unique blend of modernism and tradition. Its premiere in 1990 was met with critical acclaim, and it has since become a staple of the contemporary piano repertoire.More....
