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Programme Note

Allegro
Adagio
Vivo
Andante
Allegro Marcato

Harbour with Ships was commissioned for the Phoenix Brass Quintet (to whom it is dedicated) by the City of Salford, and lasts about 16 minutes. It is a collection of pieces inspired by a 1937 painting Hafen mit Segelschiffen by Paul Klee. This, of course, is a single work of art, whereas the music consists of five quite separate individual movements, impressions of different aspects of the painting. The tempo markings are as clear an indication as can be given of the nature of each section.

It seemed particularly appropriate to write this Klee-inspired work for Salford, because the Manchester Ship Canal, opened in 1894, found its largest dock area in Salford, and the connection with ships continues to this day, not least with the development of a marina. The subject is thus especially relevant to a significant part of Salford's history.
© John McCabe