Sunset At Sea, A Powerful New Orchestral Work Inspired By The Ocean

Friday, 17^th of April 2026

#SunsetAtSea #SheffieldChamberOrchestra #SpanishPoint #CoClare #Ireland #AtlanticOcean 

I have returned to the source of inspiration for Sunset At Sea with this première performance filling my head. The music for this piece first came to me on the rocks at Spanish Point, on the West Coast of Co. Clare, Ireland. I sat here on the rocks, notebook in hand, looking out at the Atlantic Ocean, next stop Boston.  

The ocean is wild, but at sunset there is a timeless stillness, even while the surf is frothing. The sea is calm, but always moving. It is that movement, of the waves, the tide and the sun, which created the music in my head. Sheffield Chamber Orchestra capture that timeless quality in this première performance of Sunset At Sea. 

The live recording by the Sheffield Chamber Orchestra is premiered on YouTube tonight at 20.00. Big thanks to Laurence Perkins (conductor), Ralph Dawson (leader) and all the wonderful players in the Sheffield Chamber Orchestra. 

Première of live recording of Sunset At Sea: premiere video 

Speaking from the rocks at Spanish Point: IMG_2675 piece to camera Spanish Point at sunset.MOV 

Recordings and sheet music of Sunset At Sea Sunset At Sea catalogue4095