Book Review: “SAFE FROM THE STORM” for Lyres and Harps by John Billing
/Reviewed by John Clark, Kilkenny, Ireland
SAFE FROM THE STORM for Lyres and Harps, by John Billing
Safe from the Storm belongs to a group of pieces John Billing composed in late 2019: the wonderful Iberian Retreat, which extends the repertoire of soprano lyre with five new pieces (to be reviewed by Thomas Pedroli), and the lovely From Ireland with Love (reviewed by myself).
Having been fortunate enough to hear John Billing play it as a solo on his Murray Wright Teardrop Concert Lyre, I was immediately taken by its opening mysteriously beautiful theme which lulls and rocks lullaby-like. Rather than sending you to sleep it compels the attention spreading a mood of calm and peace and indeed the title page carries the dedication:
A prayer and a wish for safety and comfort
for all who face the great storms
of nature and of human life.
Did John have a premonition of the great Covid storm all humanity would face in the months following its composition? Certainly, it was a great help to me, playing this piece during this fearful and alarming period, and I began to notice that its gentle syncopations can have a steadying and soothing effect though I would have expected the opposite to be the case.
It is laid out on two staves, spread over four pages in treble and bass clef, and I imagine many lyre players will use it as a duo, though it can be played as a solo if you are able. I have also played it on piano, and I can recommend it to any lyre player who is also a pianist.
A beautiful new major work for lyre!
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