Cut, Strike, Throw, Grip

This part biographical work is a response to the ancient Highland Bagpipe and Clarsach music known as Pibroch or Ceol Mor. Comprised of a theme and variations Pibroch utilises ornamentation as a means to mark and decorate each variation. Moreover, as an oral tradition, a number of variants exist of each ornament, which divides pipers and scholars alike. This work looks to explore Pibroch's elaborate ornamentation (the names of which give this work its title) and tuning system, expressive subtleties that often go unnoticed and unappreciated.

This work was commissioned by Kate Halsall for two keyboards and multichannel electronics. The piece was premiered as part of Huddersfield Contemporary Music Festival at St Paul’s Hall, Huddersfield November 2014 performed by Kate Halsall and Fumiko Miyachi, with electronics by the composer.