'Celtic Celebration': the composer was born in the south of England but has long been conscious of his celtic blood - indeed the Johnstones were formally one of the most powerful border clans in South Scotland - so it came rather naturally to him to write a trio piece of 'pure' celtic ambience. One simply has to imagine or conjure up a scene in an inn or pub late at night in a 'west coast' port (could be in Scotland, Ireland or Bretagne!) with the beer rather free-flowing … It is a grand Jig with varying sections and tonalities. All three instrumentalists have the limelight by turns.
'Song for Her': this is a most gentle and tender instrumental song, with a high lyricism that deliberately intends to remind one of a young man dreaming of his love. It is European but it would be difficult to define an exact place. The cello plays in arpeggio patterns (rather in the manner of a guitarist) whilst the violin and viola sing out their melodies, frequently playing together in octaves. This original beautiful miniature was originally composed to accompany an intimate and romantic moment in an animation film production directed by Julian Roberts and screened on British television, but has since become an instrumental piece in its own right.