Sally Beamish

Programme Note

The Day Dawn is based on an old Shetland fiddle tune of the same name, which (as John Purser notes in his book, Scotland's Music) was traditionally played at the Winter Solstice to mark the dawn of the lengthening days.

Dedicated to a friend, who was living in Shetland when she lost her young daughter 15 years ago, the piece symbolizes new beginnings, recalling the sense of calm she felt the day of the funeral, dawning bright after a week of rain.

In the original version, commissioned by Contemporary Music Making for Amateurs, its eleven parts may be played by any combination of stringed instruments. At the instigation of the Scottish Chamber Orchestra, the composer has since made an elaborated version for professional forces, which still, however, stays within the boundaries of the seven 'white' notes of the scale.

Sally Beamish.