MUSICAL WORKS
Explore the works of Scottish composer Helen MacKinnon. Highlights are listed below. Sheet music for most works, particularly Helen's sacred choral music, is available for purchase in hard copy of electronic format or for hire.
Symphony Orchestra
The Pearl of Scotland
(2023) 10 minutes
Orchestration: 2(pic). 2. 3(blc). 2/ 4.3.2.1. / timp. 2perc./ strings.
Dedicated to St Margaret of Scotland. Premiered March 2024 by EUMS Symphony Orchestra.
The Rinns of Islay
(2019) 20 minutes
Orchestration: 2(pic). 2(ca). 3(blc). 2/ 4.3.2.1. / timp. 2perc./ strings.
Recorded with the RSNO, 2021. Released 14 January 2022.
Chorus with Orchestra/ Ensemble
The Road to Calvary
(2022) 40 minutes
Orchestration: SATB Choir, Solo Alto / timp. / string orchestra
Inspired by the Stations of the Cross.
Ave Maris Stella
(2019) 6'15 minutes
Orchestration: Solo Soprano, Solo Violin & String Orchestra (6.6.4.4.2.)
Premiered by the Subotica Philharmonic, Serbia, 2019.
Crossing the Domain
(2002) 13'30 minutes
Orchestration: Eight female voices 2S. 4M-S. 2A and 2 percussion
Setting of Edwin Morgan's From the Domain of Arnheim.
Instrumental Ensemble (2-6 parts)
Solo Piano
A Symphony of Moral Sentiments
(2023) 4'30 minutes
String Trio: Violin, Viola and Cello
Commissioned by The University of Glasgow, Adam Smith School, for the Tercentenary of Adam Smith.
Zephyr
(2001) 10 minutes
Orchestration: Quintet - Flute, clarinet, violin, vibraphone and piano
Zephyr - 'a gentle breeze'.
Two Little Ducks
(2004) 1'30 minutes
Orchestration: Piano Duo (one piano)
A short, fun, bluesy duet for two players. Easy to moderate.
Caledonian Tracks
(2020) 6'45 minutes
Wind Ensemble (6 parts), Fl. Ob. Ca./ Alt. Sax. Cl./ Alt. Sax. Cl. Bcl./ Bsn
Commissioned by Caledonian Winds
Cutlery, Napkins, Salt & Pepper
(2002) 8' minutes
Orchestration: Flute, Horn in F and Cello
A single movement Trio.
Skin and Bone
(2002) 10'45 minutes
Orchestration: String Quartet.
Workshopped with The Paragon Ensemble. Exploring mental illness.
Fata Morgana
(2000) 3'40 minutes
Orchestration: Violin & Clarinet Duo
Premiered by Scott/ Miko Duo at GoMA.
Choral (Sacred)
Silent Night
(2022) 3 minutes
SATB choir, a cappella. Traditional text.
An original a cappella setting of the Christmas carol Silent Night.
Wings of the Morning
(2019) 3 minutes
Soprano & Piano. Text Psalm 139.
Premiere by Anita McKenzie-Mills and Margaret Sikora, 2019.
Credo
(2018) 6 minutes
SATB choir & piano. Traditional Latin.
Premiere by Pitlochry & District Choral Society.
I'll Carry You Through Tomorrow
(2018) 3'40 minutes
SATB choir & piano.
Words based on traditional text. Also available as SA or SAB voices.
Agnus Dei
(2016) 6'15 minutes
SATB choir & piano.
Lamb of God. Traditional text in Latin.
Sanctus
(2016) 1'20 minutes
SATB choir, a cappella.
Traditional text in Latin. Premiered by the Abermore Singers.
Gloria in excelsis Deo
(2015) 4'50 minutes
SATB choir, a cappella. Trad Latin.
Awarded, Florence International Choir Festival, 2015.
Mass for the Spirit
(2018) 20 minutes
SATB choir & piano. Traditional Latin.
Five movements - Kyrie, Gloria, Credo, Sanctus and Agnus Dei.
Kyrie
(2018) 4'35 minutes
SATB choir & piano.
Traditional Latin text. Also available as intrsumental version.
May the Road Rise Up!
(2017) 4'35 minutes
SATB choir & piano.
Traditional Irish Blessing text. Premiere by All Saints Choir.
Clothed in Love
(2021) 3' 35 minutes
SATB choir & piano.
Traditional text based on St Paul's Letter to the Colossians 3:12-17.
Ave Maris Stella
(2019) 4'15 minutes
SSAATTBB choir, a cappella
Traditional Latin text. Arranged for a minimum of 8 voices.
Gloria
(2019) 2'50 minutes
SAB choir & piano. English.
Commissioned by St John the Baptist RC Church, Perth.
O Good Jesus
(2017) 2'35 minutes
SATB choir & piano.
Traditional text. English. Setting of 14th c. prayer Anima Christi.
Sing to the Lord a New Song
(2016) 6'15 minutes
SATB choir & piano.
Psalm 96. Commissioned by Perth Festival of the Arts.
Be Merciful Until Me (2016) 6'15 minutes
SATB choir, a cappella.
Traditional text. Words taken from Psalm 56.
Choral Works (Other)
Remember Me
(2019) 3'15 minutes
AATTBarB a cappella.
Text by Christina Rossetti. Also arranged for solo Mezzo.
Heavensgate
(2002) 10'15 minutes
SATB choir and piano.
Two movements. Based on modern African poetry.
This Autumn Day
(2018) 4 minutes
Solo female voice (alto/ mezzo) & piano.
Popular/ folk ballad reflecting on autumn and new beginnings.
Spring
(2022) 3 minutes
Solo Mezzo-soprano, unaccompanied.
Text by Christina Rossetti. Written for mezzo Ulrike Wutscher.
My Voice
(2016) 7'40 minutes
SSA Chorus and piano.
Written for The University of Oxford, Women & the Canon Conference.
Remember Me
(2022) 3'15 minutes
Solo Mezzo-soprano, unaccompanied.
Text by Christina Rossetti. Written for mezzo Ulrike Wutscher.
Solo Instrumental
Running Late
(2023) 2'30 minutes
Solo Piano.
A quirky reflection on that frantic moment when you're running late.
Lament of the Crenel Loarn
(2022) 4' minutes
Great Highland Bagpipe
A piece for solo bagpipe comprising stately, lively and lamenting moods.