Elizabeth Aitken

Talisker

Talisker is a four minute evocation of a small beach on the West coast of Skye, Scottish Highlands.

"A figure appears on Talisker Bay Beach and gazes around. Instinctively he hears the melody of the sea. For a few moments he watches the waves - slow and deliberate ones, little 'pushy' ones, and a 'giant' that rumbles up the sand, threatening his toes. Then comes a wave which seems to dribble on for ever, at which point it starts raining. Making his way slowly off the beach he takes a last look round and turns his back on Talisker - which in response calls after him, spelling out its name in Morse code."

This evocative tone poem was written for the oboe ensemble called "The Coos".