walk the shore for string quartet and tape

walk the shore is a piece in which the physical, cartographical, sonic and emotional concepts of place, specifically the Dorset coast, converge and are explored. Written for string quartet and tape part, the piece combines written notation with improvisation. The performers are encouraged to respond freely to the tape part, which features field recordings from Lulworth Cove, Eype, and Kimmeridge Bay, interspersed with recordings of people living in and around the coast talking about their experiences. The performers are also given fragments of coastal footpaths from the areas mentioned in the tape part to interpret as they see fit. These were taken from the Ordinance Survey maps of West Lulworth, Weymouth, Abbotsbury and Lyme Regis.

Thank you to Rachel, Jonny, Anthony and Frances for sharing your stories with me.

walk the shore was selected by the Ligeti Quartet as part of their Workout! scheme in 2021, and their workshop performance was uploaded to YouTube in January 2024.