Savourna Stevenson

Savourna Stevenson (born 1961) is a Scottish composer and harpist, and is one of the most influential figures in the modern revival of the Scottish harp or Clarsach. Her prolific output as a composer, performer and recording artist is impossible to categorize, as her work over 30 years has progressed through a wide range of musical genres including folk, rock, jazz and world music, and since the late 1990's she has enjoyed a growing reputation in the classical music world as a composer of chamber, choral and large scale orchestral works.

Her father is the composer Ronald Stevenson. Actress Gerda Stevenson is her sister. Anna-Wendy Stevenson the Scottish fiddle player is her niece. She is married to Mark Norris the designer and maker of harps.

She started playing piano and composing at the age of 5 with her father, composer pianist Ronald Stevenson, and her first book of piano compositions for children, Ella Savourna's Notebook, was published by Roberton Publications in 1970. Age 11, she began studying the pedal harp with Sanchia Pielou, harpist with the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra and in her early teens she became interested in folk music and began playing the Scottish harp.

Her performing career began in the late 1970s; at the age of 15, she was already playing at the Queen Elizabeth Hall with folk artists such as Dave Swarbrick, Fairport Convention, A.L. Lloyd, Martin Carthy and Ralph McTell. While still in her teens she recorded on Dave Swarbrick's first three solo albums and subsequent work included writing, performing and recording with renowned folk artists such as fiddler Aly Bain, singer June Tabor and uilleann piper Davy Spillane.

Her own first solo album, Tickled Pink, marked a significant turning point in her musical career; with her recordings of traditional folk material placed alongside several of her new compositions for Scottish harp, hailed by The Scotsman as "Borne on the wings of enviable technical dexterity and outstanding musicianship", and by the mid 1980's she had begun to establish her reputation as a composer and started to receive commissions for new music for theatre, dance, television and concert performance.

Her first dance music commission for Basic Space Dance Theatre with choreographer Tom Yang, which enjoyed a successful three week run at the Edinburgh Festival in 1985, used an amplified harp within a rock band, including rock guitarist Frank Usher and jazz player Neil Hay on electric bass, and she also used the harp in a jazz/rock setting in collaboration with David Massingham Dance. This led to her first performances with the Savourna Stevenson Trio in 1986, with Neil Hay on fretless bass and Mike Travis on drums and percussion, a combination who continued to work together regularly over many years until Hay's early death in 1994. A Sunday Times review of the Savourna Stevenson Trio performance at the Glasgow Jazz Festival in 1991 declared that "Stevenson draws together strands of ragtime, funk, Scots traditions, blues and even African influence with invention, virtuosity and joy ... a talent which deserves to be shouted from the rooftops". In 1986 she also received an Arts Council award to study electronic music with Edward Williams, composer for David Attenborough's Life on Earth and inventor of the Soundbeam.

In 1987 she received the first of many commissions to write music for productions at Edinburgh's Royal Lyceum Theatre. She first came to national attention with her 1989 album Tweed Journey, a suite of seven pieces which describes a journey down the River Tweed from source to sea. This album saw her experiment with the harp in an electric setting with rock and jazz musicians.

Later work saw her collaborate with the Bhundu Boys and Toumani Diabate and participate in Womad festivals around the world. As a songwriter she has worked with writers such as Les Barker and Michael Marra and singers such as June Tabor, Eddi Reader and Alyth McCormack.

Her Harp Quintet ( harp + string quartet ) featured in the American TV series Sex and the City and Ugly Betty, while her orchestral work Misterstourworm and the Kelpie’s Gift was performed for the first time by the Royal Scottish National Orchestra in 2003. She was then commissioned by Children’s Classic Concerts to write a new work for children. The result, Hansel and Gretel, was premiered and toured across Scotland during 2005.

Her most recent harp album, Persian Knight Celtic Dawn (2006), is a mix of Celtic and Middle Eastern influences. It features song settings from The Prophet by Khalil Gibran and lyrics by the Gaelic poet Aonghas MacNeacail.

A CD of her orchestral music Misterstourworn and the Kelpie's Gift, recorded by the Orchestra of Scottish Opera, was released on Circular Records in 2008 and a recording of Hansel & Gretel, also on Circular Records, will be released in 2012.

Discography

Tickled Pink (1985) ( Springthyme Records, SPR 1016 ) Her first and most traditional recording which includes tracks with Aly Bain on fiddle and Frank Usher on guitar, but also introduces the first of her original compositions for small harp including Jalan and the title track Tickled Pink. "Born on the wings of enviable technical dexterity and outstanding musicianship" - THE SCOTSMAN

Tweed Journey (1989) ( Eclectic Records, ECL 9001 ) A musical journey down the River Tweed, from source to sea, starting with solo harp and adding an additional instrument to the band for each of the seven movements. Recorded with Scottish jazz and rock players, Neil Hay - bass, Mike Travis - drums, Foss Paterson - keyboards, Dick Lee - saxophones, Jim Sutherland - percussion and Graham Muir - guitar. "The most exciting and original commission to come out of Scotland this year" - THE INDEPENDENT

Cutting the Chord (1992) ( Eclectic Records, ECL 9308 ) "Her new CD finds her harp in the company of Danny Thompson's superb, ruminative double bass and Jim Sutherland's highly inventive percussion, plus the additional harp of Ireland's Aine Ni Dhuill, and the results are sublime ... definately [sic?] one of the best CDs of the year" - THE SCOTSMAN

Tusitala, Teller of Tales (1994) ( Eclectic Records, ECL 9412 ) Her music written for two BBC TV Omnibus programmes on the life and travels of writer Robert Louis Stevenson. Recorded with Aly Bain and Anne Wood - violin, Steve Kettley - saxophones & flute, Brian Shields - double bass, Mike Travis - drums, Dave Tulloch - marimba. "Again Savourna Stevenson completely re-writes the rule-book and proves the harp is capable of being pushed beyond its usual limits ... and sometimes doing the seemingly impossible" - TAPLAS

Singing the Storm (1996) ( Cooking Vinyl, Cook CD 102 ) Recorded with singer June Tabor and Danny Thompson on bass, including seven new songs composed by Savourna with lyrics by Liz Lochhead, Valerie Gillies, Michael Marra and Les Barker, plus five instrumental tracks. "An exquisite collaboration ... will move and inspire you. Brilliant, beautiful new folk music" - THE TIMES

Calman the Dove (1998) ( Cooking Vinyl, Cook CD 137 ) Music commissioned to commemorate 1400 years since the death of St. Columba on the Isle of Iona and first performed to what is believed to be the largest ever capacity audience in Iona Abbey. "Stevenson has delivered a musical gem that features not only her fluent, jazz-tinged harp but also the moody whistle and uillean pipes of Davy Spillane and the gipsy-like violin of Anne Wood" - THE SCOTSMAN

Touch Me Like the Sun (2000) ( Cooking Vinyl, Cook CD 192 ) Possibly Stevenson's most successful recording internationally, which includes five pieces for solo harp, a song with singer Eddi Reader and her harp quintet ( harp + string quartet ) which was used for the American TV series Sex and the City and Ugly Betty. "Speaks eloquently of Stevenson's remarkable ability with the harp. Eddi Reader sings the title track and there is a brilliantly conceived suite in three movements with string quartet. The lively cascading notes of her harp evoke tonalities normally associated with the lute, banjo or Japanese koto. In a class of its own" - TIME OUT

Celtic Harp (retrospective) (2000) ( Cooking Vinyl, Gumbo CD 018 ) A retrospective compilation CD containing tracks from her three previous CDs on the Cooking Vinyl record label.

Persian Knight Celtic Dawn (2006) ( Cooking Vinyl, Cook CD 375 ) Recorded with singer Alyth McCormack and Iranian percussionists Djamchid and Bijan Chemirani. Song lyrics are taken from The Prophet by Kahlil Gibran and a Gaelic song Bron Agus Aigh was written by Aonghas MacNeacail, based on the poem Joy and Sorrow by Kahlil Gibran.

Misterstourworm and the Kelpie's Gift (2008) ( Circular Records, CR 0105 ) Recorded by the Orchestra of Scottish Opera, conducted by Christopher Bell. The Story ( written by Stuart Paterson ) is narrated by actor Billy Boyd ( known for his role as the Hobbit, Pippin, in Lord of the Rings ). The CD also incorporates a book with a series of stunning illustrations by the artist Martin MacKenna. Three of Stevenson's songs for children's choir with orchestral accompaniment are also included on this recording - The Finn Woman, Waiting for the Silver Sailed Moon and Bullies, sung by the Edinburgh NYCoS Choir and the RSNO Junior Chorus.

Hansel and Gretel ( due for release later in 2012 ) ( Circular Records ) Recorded by the Orchestra of Scottish Opera, conducted by Christopher Bell. The Story ( written by Stuart Paterson ) is narrated by actress Blyth Duff ( TV's Taggart ).

Discography: Recordings with other artists

Swarbrick  : with Dave Swarbrick, first solo album for Transatlantic Records(1977)

Swarbrick 2  : with Dave Swarbrick, second solo album for Transatlantic Records (1978)

Lift the Lid and Listen  : with Dave Swarbrick, including the title track Lift the Lid and Listen for Sonet Records (1979)

Open Road  : with Boys of the Lough with Aly Bain for Topic Records (1983)

Stones of Calanish  : Recording of folk opera with June Tabor and Martin Carthy for Mrs Ackroyd Records (1989)

Chi mi'n Geamhradh ( I See Winter ) : Arranged accompaniments and recorded album with Gaelic singer Catherine-Anne MacPhee for Greentrax Records (1989)

Friends on the Road  : with The Bhundu Boys for Cooking Vinyl Records (1992)

Transatlantic Sessions  : DVD/film recording of performances with Aly Bain, Danny Thompson, Donal Lunny and Kate & Anna McGarrigle (1994)

Dave Swarbrick : Dave Swarbrick 50th birthday concert recorded live at Birmingham Town Hall for Cooking Vinyl Records (1996)

References

• [1] Press article from The Scotsman January 2006.

• [2] Press article from The Scotsman January 2012

External links

• Official Website

Commissions for Theatre, Dance, Film and Concert Music

Borders on the Insane : A 40 minute Edinburgh Festival production for Basic Space Dance Theatre with choreographer Tom Yang (Aug/Sept 1985)

Scottish Books : New Theme commissioned & recorded for STV (1987)

Beauty and the Beast : Music for the theatre production commissioned/performed for the Edinburgh Royal Lyceum Theatre (Dec'87/Jan'88)

Mary Rose : Music for the theatre production of J M Barrie's Mary Rose commissioned/performed with harp and electronic effects for the Edinburgh Royal Lyceum Theatre (July/Aug 1988)

Orchids, A Family of Flowers : Music comissioned/performed for the Granada TV production for Ch.4 (1988)

The Snowqueen : Music for the theatre production commissioned/performed for the Edinburgh Royal Luceum Theatre (Dec'88/Jan'89)

Tweed Journey (A Suite in Seven Movements) : 45 minutes of music for harp and seven piece band, commissioned by the Borders Festival of Ballads & Legends (Oct 1989). Recording available on the CD Tweed Journey.

Cinderella : Music for the theatre production commissioned/performed for the Edinburgh Royal Lyceum Theatre (Dec'89/Jan'90)

Woodlands Dance Suite : 30 minutes of music commissioned for the Borders Dance Festival (Sept 1990)

Brecht's Caucasian Chalk Circle : Music commissioned/performed for the Borders Youth Theatre production (Oct 1990)

The Moorsong : A musical setting of John Buchan's short story for harp + seven piece band, commissioned by the Borders Festival and also made in to a television film for STV (1991). ( Recording not available on CD, but Video of performance available on YouTube )

Caledonians and Romans : Music commissioned for BBC Educational Television production (1991)

Gathering Harps : 40 minute music commission for the Glasgow Folk & Arts Trust, for the bicentenary of the 1792 Belfast Harp Gathering - with performances in Edinburgh, Glasgow and Barcelona (1992). Recording available on the CD Cutting the Chord.

The Story and the Song : Music arranged/recorded for the BBC radio production (1992)

Waltzing Waters : Music commissioned/recorded for A Slight Shift Productions for the Waltzing Waters Audio Visual presentation.

Clyde to California : 20 minute music commission for the River Tweed Festival for the Robert Louis Stevenson centenary (1994)

Postscript : New Theme commissioned/recorded for the BBC Radio Scotland book programme (1993)

New Abbey Mills : Music commissioned/recorded for Historic Scotland video production (1993)

Stevenson's Travels : Music commission/recorded for two BBC TV Omnibus programmes celebrating the life and travels of Robert Louis Stevenson (1994). Recording available on the CD Tusitala Teller of Tales.

Singing the Storm : Commission of 'New Border Ballads' with lyrics from writers Liz Lochhead, Valerie Gillies, Michael Marra and Les Barker, for the Borders Festival (1995). Recording available on the CD Singing the Storm with singer June Tabor and bassist Danny Thompson.

Sleeping Beauty : Music for the theatre production commissioned for the Edinburgh Royal Lyceum Theatre (1996)

Calman the Dove : Commissioned to commemorate 1400 years since the death of St. Columba on the Isle of Iona, for performance in Iona Abbey with Savourna/harp, Davy Spillane/uillean pipes, Anne Wood/violin and the Mull Choir (1997). Recording available on the CD Calman the Dove.

Harp Quintet : A Scottish Woman's Harp Quintet ( Scottish Harp + String Quartet ) commissioned for the Celtic Connections Festival (1999). Recording available on the CD Touch Me Like the Sun.

Misterstourworm and the Kelpie's Gift : Stevenson's first large scale orchestral work written during 2001/2002 funded by the prestigious Creative Scotland Award which allowed her to study orchestration under Ian MacPherson, teacher in orchestration and composition at the Royal Academy, London. Premiered by the RSNO in the Glasgow Royal Concert Hall and then in Edinburgh's Usher Hall in 2003. Recording available on the CD Misterstourworm and the Kelpie's Gift.

Hansel and Gretel : Stevenson's second large scale orchestral work commissioned by Children's Classic Concerts (2004). Premiered and toured by the Orchestra of Scottish Opera in 2005. Recording by the Orchestra of Scottish Opera, conducted by Christopher Bell, on the CD Hansel and Gretel due for release later in 2012.

'The Finn Woman', 'Waiting for the Silver Sailed Moon' and 'Bullies' : Three new songs commissioned for the 10th anniversary of the National Youth Choirs of Scotland (2006). Recordings available on the CD Misterstourworm and the Kelpie's Gift.

Orchestration of NYCoS Songs : Full orchestral arrangements commissioned for the NYCoS songs The Finn Woman and Waiting for the Silver Sailed Moon (2007). Recordings available with the Orchestra of Scottish Opera and the RSNO Junior Chorus on the CD Misterstourworm and the Kelpie's Gift.

Concerto for Pedal Harp : A new Concerto for Pedal Harp and String Orchestra commissioned to celebrate 200 years of the modern pedal harp since the invention of the double-action pedal mechanism by Sebastian Erard in 1811 (2011). To be premiered by harpist Catrin Finch and The Scottish Ensemble in Edinbugh Queen's Hall on 7th June 2012.

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