With its outstanding natural beauty and rich history of Christianity, the Holy Island of Lindesfarne has been a place of personal pilgrimage and peace for most of my life. Inspired on a visit in February 2023, the opening of Tenera Caritate depicts the afternoon sunlight on the lapping waves around the south side of the tidal island.

With the Latin title meaning ‘Tender Love’, this expressive rhapsody for Clarinet and String Quartet is in free form. Deeply evocative, with woven instrumental textures and flowing romantic lyricism, it journeys through a whole spectrum of harmonic shades. The music speaks simply and directly from and to the human heart of love that brings hope and healing; that yearns and searches; that sustains us through the journey, embraces us in the storm, and brings us peace.

Tenera Caritate was recorded by John Bradbury and the Victoria String Quartet at Marchmont House, Berwickshire in October 2023, and the musicians returned the following year to give the première on Saturday 8th June in the oak-panelled Lorimer Music Room. The first world radio broadcast was given by ABC Classic on 26th July 2024.