Caritas Music Publishing and Eschenbach Editions

James Douglas

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

James Douglas: Pianist, Composer, Recording Artist, Accompanist and Organist.

All Photos © Copyright 2010, Katharine H. Douglas (unless otherwise stated)

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

Composer James Douglas' education, includes: Edinburgh, Paris, Munich, Salzburg and London (LRAM and ARCM). Debut: Wienersaal (Mozarteum), Salzburg, 1951. He is especially grateful for the teaching of Professor Hermann Reutter (Munich / Salzburg) and Professor Henri Lauth (Paris).

 

Career: Deputy Organist; St. Thomas' Church, Edinburgh 1948-50; Director of Music: Nicolson Square Church, Edinburgh 1953-63; Mayfield Church, Edinburgh 1963-69; Reid Memorial Church, Edinburgh 1969-73; Music Staff: The Edinburgh Academy 1967-1979; Director of Music: Christ Church, Edinburgh 1986-91; Director of Ensemble: 'The Glorious Company' 2004-

Performances of the music of James Douglas have taken place all over the world, including: 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 National TV, BBC Radio 3, Radio 2, Radio Scotland, The Open University and on Local, National and International radio and TV stations. James Douglas has been registered deaf since 1991. 15 Compact Discs by James Douglas have been commercially released by Caritas Records and can all be purchased from the Caritas Music Store. James Douglas now regularly writes contributions for the Caritas Music Blog (read the latest Blog here)

"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."

 

Please contact James Douglas' Publishers: Eschenbach Editions, if you wish any additional information about James Douglas. All performances of Music by James Douglas must be licensed through PRS for Music and all Recordings should be licensed through MCPS Ltd.

'...I read a lot, I look at many paintings and photos from all over the world; then...I write music...Music for me expresses what I can't express in words, only in sounds. My sounds.'

(James Douglas, Composer 2010, updated)

(Photo taken by Kenny Ross © 2007)

 

Compositions by James Douglas: 15 Symphonies, 15 String Quartets, Songs, 20 Orchestral works, Organ, Choral, Piano, Chamber, Piano & Organ and Instrumental Works, including much Flute Music. Stage Works: 'Mask' and 'Cuthbert.' 66 works entitled: 'Highlands and Islands Sequence' (composed between 1968-2006); 75 works entitled 'The Christ Church Sequence (composed between 2001-2005) ' and on-going projects "The Glorious Sequence" and "Music for the 21st Century" (2008-) are detailed below. Future Recording Projects include: 'Le Mystère de Nöel;' 'Exocentricity;' 'Mystère suprême;' 'Songs of Expectation;' 'A Musical Journey (a DVD with Helen Douglas);' 'Lindisfarne Music' & 'A Tide that sings' (2010-).

 

Current Recordings, including 'Visions of Glory' and 'Cry of the Deer' (David Adam)

All for sale in the 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)
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). 
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).
5. "Vigil of the Ascension (Caritas Live No. 1)" by James Douglas, feature Live recordings taken from The Christ Church Sequence in concerts during 2001-2002. (CD, Catalogue Number: ABZ 141CD, Label: Caritas Live).
6. "Into the Taiga" (Caritas Live No. 2) by James Douglas, feature Live recordings taken from The Christ Church Sequence in concerts during 2001-2002. (CD, Catalogue Number: ABZ 142CD, Label: Caritas Live).
7. "Compline" (Caritas Live No. 3) by James Douglas, feature Live recordings taken from The Christ Church Sequence in concerts during 2001-2002. (CD, Catalogue Number: ABZ 143CD, Label: Caritas Live).
8. "Doors of Perception" (Caritas Live No. 4) by James Douglas, feature Live recordings taken from The Christ Church Sequence in concerts during 2001-2002. (CD, Catalogue Number: ABZ 144CD, Label: Caritas Live).
9. "Rannoch" (Caritas Live No. 5) by James Douglas, feature Live recordings taken from The Christ Church Sequence in concerts during 2001-2002. (CD, Catalogue Number: ABZ 145CD, Label: Caritas Live).
10. "Threnody for Lost Time" (Caritas Live No. 6) by James Douglas, feature Live recordings taken from The Christ Church Sequence in concerts during 2001-2002. (CD, Catalogue Number: ABZ 146CD, Label: Caritas Live).
11. "The Feast of his Joy" (Caritas Live No. 7) by James Douglas, feature Live recordings taken from The Christ Church Sequence in concerts during 2001-2002. (CD, Catalogue Number: ABZ 147CD, Label: Caritas Live).
12. "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).
13. "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).
14. "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).
15. "Peace of the Highlands" Caritas Live No. 11 (Compact Disc). This 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 Soloists: Pam Brown, Alistair Neally, George Gwilt, Richard Mein, James Douglas and Katharine Douglas (Catalogue Number: ABZ151CD, Caritas Live).

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

Photo taken by Kenny Ross © 2007

 

 

 

James Douglas is published by and represented by his Music Publishers: Eschenbach Editions

Contact:

Eschenbach Editions

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

Tel / Fax: +44 (0) 1854 612 938

Post:

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

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Highlands and Islands Sequence

Music by James Douglas - Written between 1968 and 2006

The following list features 66 of James Douglas' works, all of which have been influenced by The Highlands and Islands of Scotland. If a work has been commercially recorded, it is marked below with (REC) after the relevant title, selected clips of some of these works can be listened to online.

1. MY HEART IS HIGH ABOVE / HIGH VOICE
2. DEER ON THE HIGH HILLS
3. 7 SONGS / 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: SONGS FROM THE HIGHLANDS & ISLANDS (MEDIUM VOICE)
23. HEBRIDEAN SEQUENCE: MEDIUM VOICE (REC)
24. SING UNTO THE LORD
25. ALL MY HOPE / BARITONE / PIANO
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 / (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).'

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)

A series of World Premieres by James Douglas were performed within the season 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 of these works have all been performed during the period 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.

*Some of the pieces featured in The Christ Church Sequence have been recorded and released on CD by Caritas Records. Visit the Caritas Music Store to buy James Douglas' CDs now,

On- going Projects: 

The Glorious Sequence:

Eschenbach Editions is proud to announce a further sequence of 15 works by James Douglas called: 'The Glorious Sequence.'

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 '06)
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 (Soprano & Strings)
14. THEME FROM 'THE AMBER ROOM' (Flute & Piano)
15. CYCLE: ARIEL SINGS (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 the music you will never forget it! 

 

Influences

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

WRITERS:
F. DOSTOEVSKY	JURGEN MOLTMANN
GEORGE STEINER	DAVID ADAM
WOLFAHRT PANNENBERG	XAVIER TILLETTE

 

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