The comparativist

Eira Lynn Jones offered a harp recital at Christ Church last Wednesday, the 8th of July, to a crowd of about 200, who were there to wave off a very successful summer programme. Ms. Jones’ last visit to Southport was in autumn 2024. Today, she offered music by composer Martin Ellerby, who was meant to be on-site to witness the reception of his work but experienced first-hand the efficacy of Northern Rail and couldn’t attend. The repertoire comprised all five «Lindsey dances», «Epitaph XVIII», which was played on the clarsach, «Cinq hommages française», and concluded with the whimsical «Les bistros de Paris». I appreciated the effort made by both composer and performer to supply the audience with informative print-outs that further enriched the experience: one had five pictures of the Lincolnshire places celebrated in the «Lindsey dances», and the other provided an explanation of the «Cinq hommages française». Both sheets were written by Mr. Ellerby and gave a peek into his seemingly...