Two Scottish Pieces for Solo Recorder - John McGuire, John Purser

Two short solo pieces by noted Scottish composers, commissioned by leading recorder player, composer and editor John Turner.

Skye Blue - John Purser

Four variations on a simple fourteen-bar theme, inspired by the Isle of Skye and (in the composer's words) this piece is as bright and summery as the island can be. The variations share characteristics with those of piobaireachd - the classical music of the Highland bagpipes - but their nature is driven by the character of the recorder.

John Purser (born in 1942) is a composer, poet, and author of Erik Chisholm, Scottish Modernist, and the award-winning Scotland’s Music. His compositions cover many genres from opera to solo lute: they have been described as 'heartfelt, clear, rugged and peculiar.’

Listen to this piece played by John Turner via YouTube here.

Prelude 29 - Edward McGuire

This recent work is inspired by a poem by David Betteridge, 'Not to be Hushed', which was written in memory of the composer's friend Ronald Stevenson. The piece continues in the same ethos as McGuire's two sets of 24 preludes that cover every instrument - in which he works with a performer, learning about the idiom and soul of each instrument in the process.

Edward McGuire (born in 1948) studied at the Royal Academy of Music with James Iliff and with Ingvar Lidholm in Stockholm. He has been featured composer at many international festivals. His large work list includes concertos for guitar, trombone, viola, cello and double bass. Notable successes include the ballet Peter Pan (Hong Kong Ballet), and the opera The Loving of Etain. He writes for and plays with the Whistlebinkies folk group.

Listen to this piece played by John Turner via YouTube here.