Wise Words From Sally Beamish
- Dominic McGonigal
- May 23
- 1 min read
Saturday, 23rd May 2026
Just heard Sally Beamish on the radio talking about commissioning her children (all composers) to write a piece for her. She came out with a pearl of wisdom,
“When you commission a piece, you want it to make you sound good, to make your instrument sound good.”
That’s always been my philosophy. I was so pleased at how good the Sheffield Chamber Orchestra sounded in Sunset At Sea back in November. Their performance is now available on YouTube.
Academy of St Martin-in-the-Fields is celebrating Sally’s 70th birthday with a concert, including the première of Seavaigers, a concerto for fiddle and lever harp. The title refers to the seafarers who travelled between Shetland and Dundee, a stretch of water that has claimed countless lives over the centuries, but is also one of the most beautiful and romantic seascapes in the world. I am especially interested in this piece as I am currently writing for Irish harp and orchestra – it's such an unusual combination. It will also be good to hear Sally’s slow movement for Brandenburg 3 again.
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