Divided Light
Erin Thomson
Divided Light takes inspiration from Sarah White’s capture of the Northern Lights over Edinburgh, and is constructed from three movements depicting the key focal points that drew my attention. The first of which being nature: the surrounding wildlife and greenery and the resonating Mirrie Dancers (a term originating from the Shetland and Orkney islands for the aurora borealis) and accompanying stars lingering over the city. The second movement explores the artificial lights gleaming from the city floor, and the perception from the city’s residents whom cannot see the natural wonders beyond the overhanging light pollution is depicted in the final movement:
“Kids in large cities are growing up having never seen the stars. Can you imagine that - having never walked under the vastness of the star-lit sky, and there’s that feeling of awe, restoration and imaginative spark?”
Peter Kahn
Scotland’s natural wonders are one of the most distinctive attractions for the country and to think that some of the most world renowned spectacles are being blocked from city dwellers is gut-wrenching.
Instrumentation Genre Ensemble (with conductor)
Tag quintet
Duration 12 minutes
Instrumentation Flute [1 player]; Clarinet [1 player]; Piano [1 player]; Violin [1 player]; Cello [1 player]
Performances of this work
Date | Venue | Performer | Link |
Upcoming events
- 24 Sep 2025, 0:00
[Composers' Helpline] - 24 Sep 2025, 19:00
[Noisy Nights at Drygate] - 04 Oct 2025, 14:04
[Apply now for Red Note Factory Weekend] - 06 Oct 2025, 13:00
[Nordic Music Journeys 2025: Sweden & Scotland - Scottish Ensemble] - 06 Oct 2025, 15:00
[Nordic Music Journeys 2025: Sweden & Scotland - Sound Art]
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