Scottish composer Mike Vass draws inspiration from history in “Leaving St. Kilda,” a solo tenor guitar piece rooted in his time as artist-in-residence at the School of Scottish Studies.
The work was sparked by a photograph he found there, an image of an ocean liner anchored in the bay at Hirta, taken after the island’s evacuation. Though captured post-departure, the image evoked complex emotions: the thrill of escape, the sting of solitude, and a deep sense of longing.
Originally part of Sunwise, a theatrical suite created with storyteller Ian Stephen and visual artist Christine Morrison, “Leaving St. Kilda” debuted as a filmed performance for the Scottish Storytelling Festival during the pandemic. The music was written between 2020 and 2021.
Vass intends to complete the full suite for release as his next solo album, Rowing Songs, expected in late 2025.
Author: World Music Central News Room
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