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Martin Raymond discusses writing the words to ‘Breathing Place’, the collaboration between Helensburgh Oratorio Choir and Aileen Sweeney for Adopt a Composer 2019/20.
Writing is a solitary activity - a desk, a screen and your own thoughts. So, what a thrill to sit as part of the audience in Helensburgh Parish Church and listen to the premiere of ‘Breathing Place’. And then to hear it again on BBC Radio 3. Lovely to hear your words sung with such precision and passion. But even more exciting to be part of something so big and so communal.
This project was all about collaboration. I’d worked with Aileen Sweeney before. It’s exciting to work with a rising star and a huge learning experience. Writers love words – of course we do. But Aileen has taught me that less is more when writing for chorus and individual voices. It is not a poem – it’s all about the music. Working with a composer means seeing words animated into something more intense and magical.
'Working with a composer means seeing words animated into something more intense and magical.'
The vital layer of collaboration with ‘Breathing Place’ was the involvement of the Helensburgh Oratorio Choir at all stages of the work. They delivered the performance, but also provided the seed for the piece itself. The core ideas behind the composition came from the choir members’ relationship with the stunning scenery of their home area. They were clear about the story they wanted to tell. The unique landscapes of the Clyde Coast, Loch Lomond and the wider National Park are under threat from extreme weather. Paradoxically, the peat beds in the hills and glens are carbon sinks, part of the solution to the climate crisis.
It is a story specific to the landscape around Helensburgh, reflected in references to particular local features. But it is also a universal message about love of the land and its value now and in the future.
In different times, I’d have loved to have had more face-to-face discussion with the choir about the words and their feelings for the landscape. It wasn’t possible during these pandemic months.
But the choir’s passion for their surroundings is at the heart of the ‘Breathing Place’, a commitment that I think you could hear in the collective voices on the night of the premiere.
'...a universal message about love of the land and its value now and in the future.'
The collaboration wasn’t restricted to composer, soloists and choir. The work of local photographers displayed on the screens during the performance added a layer of visual storytelling to the whole experience. And, of course, without the enthusiasm and commitment of the sponsors – Creative Scotland and the Philip and Dorothy Green Music Trust – and the organisers – Making Music with support from Sound and Music – there would have been no piece and no performance.
Adopt a Music Creator is a remarkable initiative which brings people together to experience the joy of making something new and unique. It’s been a privilege to have played a part in this project.
Listen to 'Breathing Place' on SoundCloud
Listen to other compositions on the full Adopt a Music Creator playlist
Follow Helensburgh Oratorio Choir on Twitter / Facebook
The Adopt a Music Creator project matches vocal and instrumental leisure-time music groups with some of the UK’s most promising music creators to collaborate on creating a new piece of music. The project leads to a premiere performance and possible broadcast. If you’re a music group or music creator and you’d like to take part, find out more.
