This is the fifth and final post in pianist and teacher Julian Jacobson’s series documenting his journey preparing and performing Margaret Lyell’s Piano Concerto. Lyell, who was Julian’s mother, wrote this piece, known as ‘Schiehallion’, when she was just 19 years old and still a student at the Royal Academy of Music in London.
And so the performance has happened, and the concerto my mother wrote as a second-year student at the RAM, dreaming of the majestic mountain in her home county of Perthshire, lives again! Whether Sir Henry Wood, who conducted the premiere, thought it would ever be performed again we can never know: he certainly gave her no encouragement and the score lay in a bottom drawer, finally passing to me and taking a further 25 years since her death to realise again.
The performance went remarkably well, Tommaso Nista balancing the orchestral textures sensitively and keeping a tight rein on the structure. I had memorised the piano part, having decided at an early stage that that was the best way of entering into her passionate creativity and reliving the piece with and for her.
The good news is that it will be published! Barry Ould of Bardic Edition, who published some of her music when she was still alive as well as being my own publisher, immediately agreed to take it. There is still some further proofreading to be done, and maybe a little judicious editing of a few inconsistencies, but hopefully we can get it out by the autumn.
Finally I’m delighted to report that the case of Schiehallion lager (mentioned in my last post) arrived in time and was much enjoyed. It really is an excellent beer and highly recommended if you can find it!
Hear the performance by clicking on the YouTube link below:
Oh this is just lovely! I only meant to listen to a snippet, but ended up listening to the whole piece. Beautifully romantic and atmospheric and a fine tribute to an iconic mountain. (I also happen to know Schiehallion and have climbed it 😊)
As a former music degree student myself, I think I can say that this is a stunning achievement for a 19 year old and a it’s great shame that Margaret was not encouraged and supported to do more. Great news that it is going to be published!
Thank you, Dorothy. It is lovely. I’ve listened to the piece several times. It’s beautiful music! I’m glad that you enjoyed it, too, and it’s great news that the piece will be published 🙂
Thank you Dorothy for this lovely appreciation, it means a lot. And Melanie for your reply, and for your support in publishing my meanderings!
Very nice romantic composition and beautifully performed by Julian and orchestra.
Fantastic how Julian’s mother made this at such a young age!
The idea of linking this piece to a passionate romantic film is also a spot-on I think, and then perhaps still in the spirit of the times that she made it.
Thank you so much for posting Melanie and Julian ! 🙂
Hi Martin, Yes, that’s a great idea. I can envisage linking this piece to a romantic film, too. Thank you for your comments. Melanie 🙂