Composer Adrian Brockless, now a resident of Shetland, has unveiled his latest musical offering, “Da Sealkie Wife’s Sang,” a reimagining of the traditional Shetland folk tune originally penned by Mary-Ellen Odie. The piece, performed by the Aberdeen-based quintet under the name Orchestra Nova (usually they perform as the Nova Quartet), beautifully bridges the gap between Shetland’s rich cultural heritage and the classical tradition.
The journey behind the release is as personal as it is creative. Initially conceived as a birthday gift for his mother, Brockless’ arrangement of “Da Sealkie Wife’s Sang” was part of a trio of pieces, including a string arrangement of his father’s organ composition, Toccata For An Occasion, and his own piece, Berceuse. This intimate gift has now evolved into a wider release, with Brockless confident that the music will resonate with both Shetland’s community and listeners worldwide.
Adrian’s life is steeped in music, stemming from his deep-rooted family heritage. His father, Brian Brockless, was a well-known figure in British classical music, recognised for his contributions to the revival of Renaissance music and collaborations with leading orchestras like the Royal Philharmonic and English Chamber Orchestra. Adrian’s aunt, Pauline Brockless, a celebrated soprano, performed with Ralph Vaughan Williams and sang in proms at the Albert Hall with the London Symphony Orchestra under Sir Malcolm Sargent. This lineage has clearly shaped Adrian’s musical outlook, particularly his fascination with Renaissance choral traditions and classical influences like Olivier Messiaen, along with unexpected inspirations like Oasis and The Beatles.
His early musical experiences were similarly formative. As a chorister at St Paul’s Cathedral, and later as Head Chorister at Guildford Cathedral, Brockless developed a deep love of music, moving from performance to composition. These experiences laid the foundation for his later interest in composition.
Brockless’ move to Shetland has introduced fresh inspiration, allowing him to explore new musical landscapes. “Da Sealkie Wife’s Sang” is a reflection of this, blending local folk traditions with his classical background.
This release follows Brockless’ work as producer of an audiobook version of celebrated naturalist Bobby Tulloch’s book Shetland: An Islander, His Islands and Their Wildlife on which two further classical arrangements of Shetland folk tunes can also be found.
“Da Sealkie Wife’s Sang” is now available on all platforms.