The work under review commemorates an exceedingly significant moment in Bill's life and the intensity of the music bears this out. Similarly to the music of Wagner, this original music, with an opening motif woven throughout the piece, builds stage by stage to a ultimate climactic peak of volume in the concluding bars.

It goes almost without saying that the whole work calls for sustained playing in which the phrases must be well shaped. The internal balance of the band, in its various sections, must be measured and be supportive to, and never obscuring, the melody. Solo and duet type figures are skilfully constructed and must be delicately handled.

The tune St Margaret (TJ3AT1) is treated ultimately to a rich harmonisation which compliments the emotional intensity of the lyrics of the song which speaks of the spiritual journey and the constancy of the "... Love that will not let me go".

Programme Note

George Matheson 's hymn, O love that will not let me go' (S.B.621) provides the foundation for this work which was written for and dedicated to the composer's wife, Linda. This was first performed on their wedding day, 3 January. 1998.

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