This composition was begun in April 2022 and dedicated it to the victims of war in Ukraine. At that time, an email message had been circulated, suggesting that some composers might each write a pavane in sympathy with the plight of Ukraine, which had been subjected to an invasion by Russian forces in February, in breach of international law and in violation of Article 2(4) of the UN Charter. The contribution of Ukrainians to Todmorden, the town in which I live, has been significant since the late 1940s. There is a Ukrainian graveyard in Cross Stones Cemetery above the town, and for many years a Ukrainian club existed, which welcomed people to its dances and to sample its selection of vodka. I was, therefore, strongly motivated to write this piece. My composition makes several deliberate melodic references to the Ukrainian national anthem as well as a brief and more elusive reference to ‘Oi u luzi chervona kalina’ (Oh, the Red Viburnum in the Meadow).

Instrumentation

2.2.2.2. – 4.2.3.1. – Timps +2 percussionists – Harp – Strings.

Duration 06:50.

Untuned percussion: Snare Drum, Tabor (or medium-large tom-tom) Cymbals.