One of the island’s orchestras have commissioned a special piece of music by one of the UK’s most recognised composers to help celebrate a milestone anniversary.

The Isle of Man Wind Orchestra celebrates their 20th anniversary this year, and are to hold a special commemorative concert on Tuesday, July 3 at St Ninian’s Church.

They will premier a new piece of music, written by the celebrated composer Dr Martin Ellerby, who has created ’Five Romances’, the composer’s own musical journey through the history, landscapes, and landmarks of the Isle of Man.

The five movements of the music are entitled ’Sky Hill’, Standing Stones’, ’The Lady Isabella’, ’The Timeless Towers’ and ’Tynwald Hill’.

Martin came to the island last year, and met with orchestra chairman Michael Morrison and conductor Paul Dunderdale.

He then spent many weeks travelling and touring across the island, searching for inspiration.

’We visited the neolithic stone circles, and many more of the sites that are dotted around the island,’ said Martin.

’I was fascinated, and I found them incredibly atmospheric and evocative.

’The Laxey Wheel was another fascinating place. It is obviously a tourist kind of place, but it is an amazing piece of engineering.

’The circular motion and the construction of it, and the way it all moves in a continuous rhythm, and the sounds it made, it is in itself very musical.

’I like the titles much better than calling each piece ’a movement, as they say much more to me about the feel and the mood, and the atmosphere of the music,’ continued Martin.

’Often movements are described by their tempos, "Allegro con brio" for example. These terms mean less to me than the names I gave the movements.

’However, with the titles for these movements, such as Sky Hill, Standing Stones, Lady Isabella, they gave me more of a sense of how the pieces should sound and feel.

’What really impressed on me was the nature of the people I met.

’Their friendliness was key to my time and the Isle of Man is a place I would love to come back to again.’

Paul Dunderdale said there were many to thank in making the Five Romances possible.

’We would like to thank Dr Martin Ellerby for composing this wonderful Manx-inspired work for our birthday celebration and the Malcolm Scott Dickinson Charitable Trust for their support in commissioning the piece,’ he said.

He also thanked the sponsors MHG Insurance Brokers, the Isle of Man Arts Council for their ongoing support towards music and concerts and the UNESCO Biosphere Isle of Man for their indispensable assistance and creativity.

Tickets for the 20th anniversary concert, which takes place from 7.30pm, are £5, with children and pensioners free, available from trybooking.com

by Mike Wade

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