About the piece....
Fire in the Sky takes its inspiration from the stunning town of Montreux in Switzerland. I was commissioned to write the work 5 days
before I visited this Montreux and was at work forming ideas for the piece as I arrived on the shore of Lake Geneva and its
amazing views of the Alps.
Whilst the scenery is without doubt some of the most incredible views I have ever witnessed, it was the history of the town that set
Fire in the Sky in motion. Whilst there, it occurred to me that many of my musical heroes had lived or performed there, and three of
them in particular had a strong connection with the town. Miles Davis, Igor Stravinsky and Freddie Mercury graced Montreux – the
large convention centre, where the famous summer jazz festival is held, named its two halls after Davis and Stravinsky, and there
is a quite breathtaking statue of Mercury in the town too.
Each musician also commemorates an anniversary in 2011, the year of the premiere of Fire in the Sky; it is 40 years since the
death of Stravinsky and both Miles Davis and Freddie Mercury died in 1991, making it 20 years since their deaths. So it seemed
fitting to write a piece that in some way acknowledges them, and is a kind of personal “thanks” for all they have given, and continue
to give, me.
The title comes from the famous Deep Purple song, Smoke on the Water – whose second line is “Fire in the Sky” and is a
reference to the night the town’s casino was set alight by a Frank Zappa fan. The piece tries to recreate the atmosphere of that
night, paint a picture of fire in the sky (and smoke on the water) and also uses small “nuggets” of the music of my three greatest
musical heroes, Miles Davis, Freddie Mercury and Igor Stravinsky.
Fire in the Sky was commissioned by the Tomra Brass Band, Norway, and is dedicated to Stijn Berbé and Nick Ost – both of whom
are connected with the band (teaching and conducting), and both have been close friends – personally and musically – for many
years. I am indebted to them for the opportunity to write this piece.
About the composer....
Peter Meechan, born January 29, 1980, in Nuneaton England, holds an undergraduate degree from the Royal Northern College of
Music, a Master of Arts degree and a PhD in composition, both from the University of Salford. In 2002 Peter became the first ever
'Young Composer in Association' with the prestigious Black Dyke Band for whom he later became 'Composer in Residence'
between 2006-2007.
The majority of his works have been written for wind and brass instruments, including solo unaccompanied works and
compositions for chamber ensembles. His music for brass bands has been performed at festivals and contests across the globe,
whilst his music for winds has been featured at festivals throughout Europe and North America, including the Midwest Clinic in
Chicago and at the BASBWE International Wind Festival.
Peter’s music has been extensively performed, recorded, broadcast and commissioned throughout the world by artists including:
Bramwell Tovey, Spanish Brass, Black Dyke Band, Steven Mead, Eastman Wind Ensemble, the RNCM Wind Orchestra, Kew
Wind Orchestra, The Band of the Coldstream Guards, Bones Apart Trombone Quartet, Jens Lindemann, Rex Richardson, David
Childs, David Thornton, Jacques Mauger, Clark Rundell, as well as many leading university wind ensembles in the USA. There are
currently over 40 commercial recordings of Meechan’s music.
Peter Meechan lives in Manchester, UK, with his wife Julie.
January 2011
For more information about Peter Meechan, please visit his website - www.petemeechan.com