Uploaded March 2023 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
Psappha Ensemble:
Benedict Holland & Zoë Beyers - violins
Alex Mitchell & Alistair Vennart violas
Jennifer Langridge & Petr Prause - cellos
Mark Heron - conductor
This performance was recorded live at Hallé St Peter's in Manchester (UK) on 31st March 2022 and marked Tim Williams’ final Manchester concert as Psappha’s Artistic Director. It pays homage to Peter Maxwell Davies, whose music was the group’s original inspiration, and to the land Max called home. Four new works have been commissioned, inspired by Orkney and written for this performance and accompanied new films shot by Tim Williams in Orkney.
There is also a version of this work that shows the film (full screen) with the live recording from the performance. This can be found in the 'Orkney - Peter Maxwell Davies Tribute' Playlist.
To view the 4K version we recommend you use Google Chrome or the Firefox browser.
Learn more about Psappha: psappha.com
Orkney film shot, produced and edited by Tim Williams
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Lisa Robertson The Old Man of Hoy (World premiere, Psappha commission)
The Old Man of Hoy is the tallest sea stack in the UK. It was created by the erosion of a cliff through hydraulic action and is thought to be less than 250 years old. And yet it is eroding still, with winds and waves continually grinding down the stone. Constantly beaten by the elements, the Old Man is crumbling, with a large crack running down from the top of the stack, and it may soon collapse into the sea. The music reflects the Old Man’s vast strength but also the tension and fragility of its situation and that, while now hanging in the balance, all may collapse at any moment. Fragments of a traditional song from Hoy emerge from the grinding sounds of erosion, amid reflections of the frothy waves, the wild winds and passing seabirds.
– Lisa Robertson
Learn more about Lisa Robertson: lisarobertsonmusic.com/about
Psappha Ensemble:
Benedict Holland & Zoë Beyers - violins
Alex Mitchell & Alistair Vennart violas
Jennifer Langridge & Petr Prause - cellos
Mark Heron - conductor
This performance was recorded live at Hallé St Peter's in Manchester (UK) on 31st March 2022 and marked Tim Williams’ final Manchester concert as Psappha’s Artistic Director. It pays homage to Peter Maxwell Davies, whose music was the group’s original inspiration, and to the land Max called home. Four new works have been commissioned, inspired by Orkney and written for this performance and accompanied new films shot by Tim Williams in Orkney.
There is also a version of this work that shows the film (full screen) with the live recording from the performance. This can be found in the 'Orkney - Peter Maxwell Davies Tribute' Playlist.
To view the 4K version we recommend you use Google Chrome or the Firefox browser.
Learn more about Psappha: psappha.com
Orkney film shot, produced and edited by Tim Williams
--------
Lisa Robertson The Old Man of Hoy (World premiere, Psappha commission)
The Old Man of Hoy is the tallest sea stack in the UK. It was created by the erosion of a cliff through hydraulic action and is thought to be less than 250 years old. And yet it is eroding still, with winds and waves continually grinding down the stone. Constantly beaten by the elements, the Old Man is crumbling, with a large crack running down from the top of the stack, and it may soon collapse into the sea. The music reflects the Old Man’s vast strength but also the tension and fragility of its situation and that, while now hanging in the balance, all may collapse at any moment. Fragments of a traditional song from Hoy emerge from the grinding sounds of erosion, amid reflections of the frothy waves, the wild winds and passing seabirds.
– Lisa Robertson
Learn more about Lisa Robertson: lisarobertsonmusic.com/about
