Caritas Music Publishing and Eschenbach Editions

James Douglas

On this page: Highlands and Islands Sequence | The Christ Church Sequence | Ongoing Projects | Influences

James Douglas: Musician; Composer, International Recording Artist, Accompanist and Organist.

All Photos © Copyright 2009, Katharine H. Douglas

Born 1932 in Dumbarton, Scotland, originally resident in Edinburgh, Scotland but now lives in Ullapool, Ross-shire. Married to Helen; two sons, one daughter, two daughters-in-law and three grand-daughters.

One of the Country's leading Composers, James Douglas was educated at the Heriot Watt College, Edinburgh; Conservatoire, Paris; Hochschule für Musik, Munich; Mozarteum, Salzburg; LRAM, ARCM, London. Debut: Wienersaal (Mozarteum), Salzburg, 1951. He is especially grateful for the teaching of Professor Hermann Reutter (Munich / Salzburg) and Professor Henri Lauth (Paris). Notable performances of the music of James Douglas have taken place all over the world: The Usher Hall, St. Mary's Cathedral and St. Giles' Cathedral, Edinburgh; all the major Cathedrals in London such as Westminster Abbey; La Cathédrale de Notre Dame de Paris, France, l'Eglise St. Roch, Paris and St. Thomas' Church, Fifth Avenue, New York City, USA. Transmissions have been broadcast on BBC Radio 3, Radio 2, Radio Scotland, The Open University and on Local, National and International radio stations. James Douglas has been registered deaf since 1991. A growing list of recordings in the 'Caritas' and 'Caritas Live' labels can be bought online from the Caritas Music Store, why not try them before you buy them? There are also many of his published scores and sheet music which are now on sale. For example, visit either the CDs / Cassettes / Vocal / Instrumental / Organ / Musico-Dramatic and many other sections in our online store, for you are just one click away from 'A World of Music.'

The music of James Douglas reveals his intense love of the mountains, glens, lochs and rivers of the North West Highlands of Scotland, which have inspired much of his music. James Douglas is a Professional member of The British Academy of Songwriters, Composers and Authors, his details can be viewed in the Members section (Classical) of the British Academy

 

A Catalogue of the Complete Music of James Douglas has been published by Eschenbach Editions and Caritas Music Publishing to mark the 21st Birthday of Eschenbach Editions (established in Edinburgh in 1986). This can be read in Adobe Acrobat in a *.pdf format. James Douglas_Catalogue

Catalogue © Copyright 2009 Eschenbach Editions and Caritas Music Publishing

Please contact the Publishers if you wish any additional information or if you wish to order any scores for performance.

 

'...I read a lot, I look at many paintings and photos from all over the world; then...I write music...' (James Douglas, Composer 2009)

(Photo taken by Kenny Ross 2007)

 

Compositions by James Douglas include: 15 Symphonies, 15 String Quartets, 200 Songs, 20 Orchestral works, Organ, Choral, Piano, Chamber, Piano & Organ and Instrumental Works, including much Flute Music. 3 Operas: 'Mask,' 'Molière' and 'The King.' Musical: 'Cuthbert.' 66 works entitled: 'Highlands and Islands Sequence' (composed between 1968-2007), 75 works (composed between 2001-2005) entitled 'The Christ Church Sequence' are listed separately below and Music for the 21st Century 1-5 (2008). Somewhere in the Caritas Music Store, is music for you.

If you are a Film or TV Producer, or for any media-based source, with an interest in original music, please contact us to explore and use the sound world of James Douglas. All enquiries are welcomed.

Recordings for sale in our Music Store (clips available online) include:

1. "Visions of Glory" (Cassette and Compact Disc) by James Douglas and David Adam, 12 Prayers in the Celtic Tradition, (Cassette: Catalogue Number: ABZ 103C, CD: Catalogue Number: ABZ 121CD, Label: Caritas) Clips available online.
2. "Cry of the Deer" (Cassette and Compact Disc) by James Douglas and David Adam, featuring meditations led by David Adam, (Cassette: Catalogue Number: CCBZ 230C, CD: Catalogue Number: CCBZ 271CD, Label: Caritas Classics) 
3. 'A Vision" (Compact Disc) by James Douglas, is a magnificent selection of the music of James Douglas, released in February 2000. It contains a celebration of the music of James Douglas for solo flute, organ, cello, choir and solo soprano (Catalogue Number: ABZ 110 CD, Label: Caritas). Clips available online.
4. ''Cloud of Unknowing'' (Compact Disc) by James Douglas, is a new recording, released in February 2001, with haunting and atmospheric music for Piano, Flute, Organ & Narrator. This remarkable recording gives a deeper insight into the music of James Douglas. (Catalogue Number: ABZ 130 CD, Label: Caritas). Clips available online.
5. "Caritas Live Series," No. 1-7 (7 separate Compact Discs) by James Douglas, feature Live recordings taken from The Christ Church Sequence in concerts during 2001-2002. These 7 CDs were released during 2002 and feature many World Premières of the music of James Douglas. (Catalogue Numbers: ABZ 141CD-ABZ 147CD, Label: Caritas Live). Clips available online.
6. "Summertime Song," Caritas Live No. 8 (Compact Disc) by James Douglas, features 8 new works mainly for Flute & Piano, recorded live at Christ Church, Edinburgh, released in February 2004. (Catalogue Number: ABZ 148CD, Label: Caritas Live). Clips available online.
7. "The City Never Sleeps," Caritas Live No. 9 (Compact Disc) by James Douglas, features 12 tracks for Flute, Trumpet, Soprano & Piano, recorded live at Christ Church, Edinburgh, released February 25th 2005. (Catalogue Number: ABZ 150CD, Label: Caritas Live). Clips available online.
8. "Nocturnal," Caritas Live No. 10 (Compact Disc), The 10th CD in the Caritas Live series, by James Douglas, includes 12 Live tracks, recorded in Christ Church, Edinburgh, released 3rd February 2006 (Catalogue Number: ABZ 149CD, Caritas Live).Clips available online.
9. "Peace of the Highlands" NEW, Caritas Live No. 11 (Compact Disc). This new CD features music exclusively taken from The Highlands and Islands Sequence by James Douglas (A sequence of 66 works written between 1968 and 2006 and launched in November 2006). Includes performances by Pam Brown, Alistair Neally, George Gwilt, James Douglas and Katharine Douglas (Catalogue Number: ABZ151CD, Caritas Live).

All these CDs are available for sale in the Caritas Music Store or a selection is available from Amazon at www.amazon.co.uk  

Photo taken by Kenny Ross, 2007

To Contact James Douglas or to buy any of his Publications:

Eschenbach Editions

E-mail: eschenbach@caritas-music.co.uk

Fax: +44 (0) 1854 612 938

Post:

James Douglas
c/o Eschenbach Editions
Achmore, Moss Road
Ullapool, IV26 2TF

 

Further information about the Composer: James Douglas, can currently be found in some of the following International Directories:

'International Who's Who in Music'; 'Debrett's: People of Today'; 'British Music Yearbook'; 'The Oxford Dictionary of Music' and 'The Dictionary of International Biography' or now Online in Wikipedia Online Encyclopedia.

Highlands and Islands Sequence

Music by James Douglas - Written between 1968 and 2006

This new sequence has just been published by Eschenbach Editions and Caritas Music Publishing, Ullapool; featuring 66 of James Douglas' works, all of which have been influenced by these areas and places.

1. MY HEART IS HIGH ABOVE / HIGH VOICE
2. DEER ON THE HIGH HILLS (14 songs by IAIN CRICHTON SMITH)
3. 7 SONGS TO POEMS BY IAIN CRICHTON SMITH / VOICE AND PIANO
4. THE HIGH MOUNTAINS/ ORGAN (REC)
5. THE SHINING WILDERNESS/ PIANO
6. LANDSCAPES OF GLORY / ORGAN
7. LE SOLEIL DANSANT/ ORGAN (REC)
8. AISEIRIGH (RESURRECTION)/ ORCHESTRA (3333 / 4331 / PERC / TIMP / STRINGS)
9. STRING QUARTET NO. 10 (ASSYNT)
10. STRING QUARTET NO. 12 (COIGACH)
11. THE SUN DANCING / SOLO FLUTE
12. FIVE SAINTS IN FOUR MOVEMENTS / ORGAN
13. SYMPHONY NO. 10 (A TIME FOR SINGING) / ORGAN
14. CELTIC BLESSING (CLARINET)
15. HIGH MOUNTAINS II / SOLO FLUTE (REC)
16. SKARA BRAE (ORKNEY) / VIOLIN
17. TO THE UISTS (FLUTE)
18. THE LAND OF THE SIMMER DIM (CHAMBER ORCHESTRA)
19. JARLSHOF MUSIC (SHETLAND) (ORCHESTRA) (3333 / 4331 / PERC / TIMP / STRINGS)
20. SCENES FROM ST. KILDA (VIOLIN)
21. TO CALLANISH (CELLO)
22. A TIME THERE WAS: 30 SONGS FROM THE HIGHLANDS & ISLANDS (MEDIUM VOICE)
23. HEBRIDEAN SEQUENCE: MEDIUM VOICE (REC)
24. SING UNTO THE LORD (21 CHORAL PIECES SATB, AVAILABLE SEPARATELY)
25. ALL MY HOPE: 15 HYMNS FOR BARITONE
26. THREE ST KILDA SONGS: MEDIUM VOICE
27. KISIMUL CASTLE (BARRA) (TRUMPET AND PIANO) (REC)
28. THE HILLS ARE LONELY / SONG (SLOW MARCH) (REC)
29. WON'T YOU COME BACK? (THE CUILLINS) / SONG (SLOW MARCH)
30. MIST ON THE MOUNTAINS / SONG (MARCH) (REC)
31. LOCH AN EILEAN / FLUTE AND PIANO)
32. TO THE CAIRNGORMS (ORGAN)
33. CULLODEN, THE BATTLEFIELD (VIOLIN)
34. SGURR AN FHIDDLHEIR / VIOLIN
35. A TIDE THAT SINGS/ SONG (PORT OF NESS, LEWIS) (REC)
36. LOCHINVER DANCES / VIOLIN
37. SUMMERTIME SONG (TORRIDON) /FLUTE AND PIANO (REC)
38. SYMPHONY NO. 11 (TORRIDON) (ORGAN)
39. INVERNESS CATHEDRAL (ORGAN)
40. A PROCESSION OF WHITE MOUNTAINS (REC) (FLUTE AND PIANO) (STAC POLLAIDH, CUL BEAG, CUL MOR, CANISP, SUILVEN) (REC)
41. LOCHAN OF THE GREEN CORRIE / (FLUTE AND PIANO) (REC)
42. HEBRIDEAN DREAM MUSIC/ SOLO FLUTE (REC)
43. HEBRIDEAN SUNSET/ FLUTE AND PIANO (REC)
44. LOOKING TOWARDS TARANSAY/ PIANO (REC)
45. EARTH SONG (AN TEALLACH, LOCH ASSYNT, QUINAG) (PIANO)
46. FLUTE / SOLO FLUTE (REC)
47. JOURNEYS TO IONA (ORGAN) (REC)
48. HIGHLAND BUZZARD / SOLO FLUTE (REC)
49. KILBRANNAN / SOLO FLUTE (REC)
50. THREE MOODS OF ATTRACTION (REC) (LOCH LOMOND, BEN NEVIS, LOCH KATRINE) (FLUTE AND PIANO)
51. SUMMER EVENINGS IN ASSYNT (CELLO AND PIANO)
52. JOURNEY AROUND BEINN FHADDA /CELLO AND PIANO (REC)
53. DOUBLE PRELUDE NO. 5 (RANNOCH)/ ORGAN AND PIANO (REC)
54. THE CEILIDH PLACE (SOLO FLUTE) (REC)
55. TO INVEREWE GARDEN/ FLUTE AND PIANO (REC)
56. PEACE OF THE HIGHLANDS / (SONG) (REC)
57. NOCTURNAL / FLUTE AND PIANO (REC)
58. BRAES OF ULLAPOOL / FLUTE AND PIANO (REC)
59. HEBRIDEAN KYRIE / SONG (REC)
60. THE ULLAPOOL FANFARE / TRUMPETS AND PIANO (REC)
61. OVERTURE: THE FRIGATE (ULLAPOOL) / TRUMPETS AND PIANO (REC)
62. SUITE: THE ULLAPOOL BOOKSHOP / FLUTE AND PIANO (REC)
63. THE FANNAICHS (A NEW HEART) / SOLO FLUTE
64. HEARTLANDS / VIOLIN (THE NORTHERN HIGHLANDS)
65. I SING FOR THE ISLANDS (IN MEMORY OF THE LATE GEORGE MACKAY BROWN) / VIOLIN
66. HANDA / VIOLIN AND ACCORDION

The Christ Church Sequence

James Douglas writes:

'Since June, 2001, I have been on a creative burst of writing unparalleled in my lifetime. The idea of writing the first 25 major works developed in Paris, in May, 2001. These pieces are dedicated to many people who have helped, guided and inspired me over a long period. I do this with gratitude. These 25 works are "ways of seeing the ordinary in a new way". (John V. Taylor) The writing span was 1 June, 2001, to 10 January, 2002. I have called this series of pieces: "THE CHRIST CHURCH SEQUENCE." (EDINBURGH).'

Music for Sale: The Caritas Music Store can now offer, for sale, All the music in 'The Christ Church Sequence, ' (75 major works with lots of music for Flute or Trumpet or Cello or Organ or Piano or Voice, a complete World of Music), please contact us . Listings follow giving details of what is available. The Church Sequence ends with 'The Christ Church Vespers', No. 75. Why not review also our list of CDs by James Douglas?

1. DOUBLE PRELUDE NO. 1 (Into the Taiga) (Organ & Piano).
2. DOUBLE PRELUDE NO. 2 (Summer evenings in Assynt) (Cello & Piano).
3. DOUBLE PRELUDE NO. 3 (Cranes Dancing) (Flute & Piano).
4. DOUBLE PRELUDE NO. 4 (Macchu Picchu) (Flute, Trumpet, Organ, Piano and Bells)
5. DOUBLE PRELUDE NO. 5 (Rannoch) (Organ & Piano).
6. THE EYES HAVE IT (Rembrandt's Eyes) (Solo Flute).
7. THE SPIRE  (Organ).
8. ANIMA CHRISTI (Soprano & Piano).
9. LANDSCAPES OF LIGHT (Piano).
10. THREE PAVANS FROM HIGH PLACES (Piano).
11. DOORS OF PERCEPTION (Trumpet & Piano).
12. DOUBLE PRELUDE NO. 10 (Cantilène) (Solo Flute or Alto Flute).
13. DOUBLE PRELUDE NO. 8 (The Feast of His Joy) (Organ & Piano).
14. DOUBLE PRELUDE NO. 7 (Cape Breton Island) (Flute & Piano).
15. JOURNEYS TO IONA (Organ & Narrator).
16. THE PROMISE OF HIS GLORY (Organ).
17. DOUBLE PRELUDE NO. 6 (Anderson, Midmar) (Cello).
18. THRENODY FOR LOST TIME (Flute, Trumpet, Cello & Piano).
19. WALTZES FOR THREE COUSINS (Flute & Piano).
20. DOUBLE PRELUDE NO. 12 (To the ends of the Earth) (Organ & Piano).
21. DOUBLE PRELUDE NO. 11 (The River Run) (Cello & Piano).
22. AUTUMN SERENADE (Trumpet & Piano).
23. DOUBLE PRELUDE NO. 9 (Nocturne pour la Pentecöte) (Trumpet & Piano).
24. POUR  LA PENTECÖTE (Organ).
25. GOD IS WITHIN (Choir-SATB).

All these works have been performed in Christ Church, Edinburgh, during the 'Caritas Concerts' 2001-4.

The Christ Church Sequence (Part II)

Part Two of this ambitious sequence of new music by James Douglas, all of which is now available for sale, please contact us. A series of World Premieres introduced the music from April 2002 into the season of 2003-4.

Writing Period: 1 April 2002-30 September 2003

26. MUSIC FOR KATYÑ (Organ, Piano & Narrator)
27. VIGIL OF THE ASCENSION (Organ)
28. PASSING THOUGHTS (Violin & Clarinet)
29. CELTIC BLESSING (Clarinet)
30. FIVE FLOWER MOVEMENTS (Trumpet & Piano)
31. FORBIDDEN CITY (9 movements for Flute, Organ, Cymbal & Piano)
32. FOUR GHAZALS (Flute & Piano)
33. PRELUDE TO THE TE DEUM (M. A. Charpentier, arr. J. Douglas) (Trumpet & Piano)
34. LARGHETTO IN E (G. F. Handel, arr. J. Douglas) (Flute & Piano)
35. TRUMPET TUNE (J. Clarke, arr. J. Douglas) (Trumpet & Piano)
36. CANON (Pachelbel, arr. J. Douglas) (Cello & Piano)
37. GABALDONI'S TRUMPET (Trumpet & Piano)
38. CALEDONIA'S GLORY (Bagpipe)
39. THE GOLDEN PRELUDE (Flute & Piano)
40. TOCCATA: CARITAS 5 (Organ)
41. THREE MOODS OF ATTRACTION (3 pieces) (Flute & Piano)
42. CAFÉ SOCIETY (5 pieces) (Trumpet & Piano)
43. AIR FOR TRUMPET (trumpet & piano)
44. LE CHRIST EST RESSUSCITÉ (Organ)
45. ANAWIM (Flute & Piano)
46. LOOKING TOWARDS TARANSAY ( Piano)
47. 10,000 BAMBOO POLES IN CLOUDY MIST (Flute & Piano)
48. WINTER LANDSCAPE (Trumpet & Piano)
49. HILDESHEIM DOORS (Organ)
50. CONCEPTS OF PEACE (Flute & Piano)
51. STREETS OF PARIS (Trumpet & Piano)
52. TOWARDS PEACE (Soprano & Piano)

The Christ Church Sequence (Part III)

This completes the Christ Church Sequence, all the Music is now available for Sale, please contact us. 

These works have all been performed in 2004-2006 at Christ Church, Edinburgh.

Writing period: October 2003-December 2005

53. RIVER ICE (Trumpet & Piano)
54. MALCESINE TANZ (Trumpet & Piano)
55. BENEDICTUS NO. 2 (Trumpet & Piano)
56. THE CITY NEVER SLEEPS (Flute & Piano)
57. KILBRANNAN (Solo Flute)
58. THE CEILIDH PLACE (3 pieces for Solo Flute)
59. A PROCESSION OF WHITE MOUNTAINS (5 pieces-Flute & Piano: Stac Pollaidh, Cul Mor, Cul Beg, Canisp & Suilven)
60. HIGHLAND BUZZARD (Solo Flute)
61. ARIETTA (Flute & Piano)
62. THE PEACE OF THE HIGHLANDS (Song-Soprano, Flute & Piano)
63. THE ANDERSON PRELUDE (Flute & Piano)
64. NOCTURNAL (Flute & Piano)
65. SONGS OF A NOMAD FLUTE (6 pieces-Flute & Piano)
66. KITTLEYKNOWE (Trumpet & Piano)
67. THE LOCHAN OF THE GREEN CORRIE (Flute & Piano)
68. THE LIGHT OF LIFE (Solo Flute)
69. TIBETAN BLACK-NECKED CRANES (Flute & Piano)
70. REJOICE! (Soprano & Piano) Soloist: Katharine Douglas (First performed 3rd February 2006)
71. EARTH SONG ( Piano)
72. VARIATIONS ON AN ALLELUIA (Solo Piano)
73. SCENA: HAMLET (for Voice & Piano) (First performed 2nd December 2005)  Soloist: Richard Mein
74. THE WINE DARK SEA (Alto Flute)
75. THE CHRIST CHURCH VESPERS (Soprano & Baritone Soli, Flute, Brass, Percussion, Piano & Organ) First performed 3rd February 2006.

*Many of the pieces from the Christ Church Sequence are now available on CD in the Caritas Live Series (10 seperate CDs in total). 

On- going Projects: 

The Glorious Sequence:

Eschenbach Editions is proud to announce a further sequence of 15 new works by James Douglas: 'The Glorious Sequence.' The writings of the following have been part of a 'roll' in approaching the composition of 'The Glorious Sequence,' John Muir; Kathleen Jamie; Kallistos Ware; Barbara Kingsolver; James S. Stewart; Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, Maria Boulding and  Dietrich Bonhöffer. "My thanks to them all." (James Douglas June 2007). Please contact the Publishers if you are interested in receiving more information. 

1. HIGHLAND GLORY (2 Trumpets / Piano)
2. FÀILTE (Welcome) (2 Trumpets & Piano)
3. DIGITAL CAMERA ANGLES (Earth from Space) (Flute & Trumpet)
4. THE LIGHT OF CHRIST  (to mark the Centenary of the birth of Theologian: Dietrich Bonhöffer 4th February 2006) (Baritone, Soprano, Tenor Soli, Organ, Strings and Choir-SATB) 
5. TRUE SIMPLICITY (Flute & Trumpet)
6. A NEW HEART (Flute)
7. THE BEATITUDES (SATB, unacc)
8. BRANDENBURG CONCERTO (Flute / 2 Trumpets / Piano)
9. PERPETUA (2 Trumpets / Piano)
10. THE GLORY OF LIGHT (Turners' Venice)
11. THEME FROM MACCHU PICCHU (Trumpet & Piano)
12. WRESTLING JACOB (Solo Baritone)
13. SYMPHONY NO. 14 (Poems by Kathleen Raine) (Soprano & Strings)
14. THEME FROM 'THE AMBER ROOM' (Flute & Piano)
15. CYCLE: ARIEL SINGS (Baritone & Piano)
16. SCENA: THE SEAFARER (Baritone & Piano)

If you are looking for music which is positive, full of hope, strong in melody; then why not try the music of James Douglas in 'The Highlands and Islands Sequence,' 'The Glorious Sequence' and 'The Christ Church Sequence.' Once you've heard it you will never forget it! 

A monograph, with a catalogue of the music of James Douglas, entitled: "A World of Music" (ISBN 185419075X, Publisher: Eschenbach Editions) is also available, please contact us to order a copy or view his Complete Catalogue online now.

Influences

As a background to some of the influences which have stimulated compositions, in his pursuit of "language-music" and "image-music" he cites the following:

WRITERS:
KEVIN CROSSLEY-HOLLAND	PAUL CELAN
STÉPHANE MALLARMÉ	ROBERT FROST
RUTH PITTER	FRIEDRICH HOLDERLIN
JACAPONE DA TODI	HANS EGON HOLTHUSEN
RICHARD DEHMEL	MARINA TSVETAEVA
JOHN DONNE	EMILY DICKINSON
ERNST STADLER	HART CRANE
HERMANN HESSE	MIKHAIL BULGAKOV
NIKOS KAROÚZOS	EDWARD THOMAS
OSIP MANDELSTAM	DAVID ADAM
VACHEL LINDSAY	STEWART CONN
IAIN CRICHTON SMITH	BORIS PASTERNAK
ISAAC BASHEVIS SINGER	RAINER MARIA RILKE
GEORG TRAKL	ANNA AKMATOVA
KATHLEEN RAINE	ROBERT NYE
HANS MAGNUS ENZENSBERGER	HENRY VAUGHAN
CZESLAW MILOSZ	EDWIN MUIR
ARTISTS:
LEONARDO DA VINCI	JAMES HAWKINS
HENRY MOORE	AUGUSTE RODIN
J. M. W. TURNER	CASPAR DAVID FRIEDRICH
JOHN BUSBY	HOKUSAI
THE FOLLOWING WRITERS HAVE ALSO BEEN OF GREAT IMPORTANCE:
GEORGE STEINER	SIMONE WEIL
KARL POPPER	DIETRICH BONHÖFFER
ISAIAH BERLIN	EDITH STEIN
JÜRGEN MOLTMANN	MARIA BOULDING
MICHAEL HAMBURGER	W. G. SEBALD
ELIAS CANETTI	MICHAEL IGNATIEFF

FORTHCOMING WORKS BY JAMES DOUGLAS: 

New Compositions receiving their World Premières from 2009-2011 have been influenced by some of the Writings of the following:

XAVIER TILLIETTE (PARIS)	DUMITRU STANILOAE (ROMANIA)
GEORGES KHODR (ANTIOCH)	RAYMOND RIZK (SYRIA)
JEAN ZIZIOULAS (THESSALONIKI)	MICHEL EVDOMIKOV (PARIS & POITIERS)
BORIS BOBRINSKOY (PARIS)	CHRISTOS YANNARAS (PARIS & GENEVA)
DAN-ILIE CIOBOTEA (ROMANIA)	OLIVIER CLÉMENT (PARIS)

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