The Fall Of Myrddin

I composed this short piece during 2015 after some time pondering upon that arch Druid Myrddin. A figure who suffered much calumny and vilification in early literature, some might say he was subject to a careful campaign of smear, a target of fundamentalist missionaries such as Mungo. We have accounts of the madness of Merlin, his retreat into the wood to become as a wild beast, of course such themes could be traces of shamanic practice.

There are so many layers and interpretations, yet one element, albeit with variations seems to be present in accounts of this Iron Age shaman, be they from Brittany, Cornwall, Wales or Scotland. That is the theme of 'loss' as Myrddin either through magic or the trauma of battle is utterly changed, his status as prime adviser to Arthur and wizard supreme is taken from him. Now he is consigned to the cave, forest or held by sorcery in a crystal, standing stone, tree or lake.

So I present for your interest a short piece for strings which I have composed, arranged and produced, it's an atmospheric and textured track.