The Leyburn Shawl is a path that runs along the limestone escarpment just outside the North Yorkshire town of Leyburn. There’s an old story that Mary, Queen of Scots, escaping captivity in nearby Bolton Castle, dropped her shawl as she fled along the ridge pursued by soldiers on horseback guided by hounds.
The music is not a retelling of the story, but it does perhaps have a feeling of the landscape and history of the place. The Orchestra consists of pairs of flutes, oboes, clarinets, bassoon, trumpets, horns, trombone, timpani and strings but sounds like a worn out Hammond organ. I really ought to find a better Score Writing program.
It is dedicated to the memory of my brother-in-law, Geoff Beasley. He was a true artist who taught me that creative activity is measured by integrity not popular acclaim. It was while sitting with his widow, my sister, on the Leyburn Shawl that I realised the connection with the music.
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