I wrote this piece as part of a larger commission by Music Generation Laois, in Ireland, for a group of 37 harpers. The composition was called ‘White Horses’ and dedicated to the feminine strength of the young harpers in the orchestra in an analogy with the fluid yet powerful waves that crashed on the shore of the beach in Portobello where I grew up. I’ve always loved being on or near the ocean and this tune tries to embody that transitory state of blissful stillness that can come upon the water every now and then. Face upturned to the sun, cares left on the shore, glass of chilled Sancerre in hand: a little moment of calm.