Frances M Lynch

DRSAMD BSc Hons Mus

ABOUT

  • BORN:
    1959
    Glasgow, Scotland
  • RESIDENCE
    London, Scotland
  • WEBSITE
    Visit Me!

COMPOSITIONS


Astronomer fae Dundee. Based on the Traditional tune - The Piper o Dundee
Written in: 2016   Performed by: Frances M Lynch
This song was written by the composer especially about the scientist for the award winning Edinburgh Fringe show "Superwomen of Science" It is based on a traditional Jacobite tune - "The Piper O Dundee" as sourced from Hogg's "Jacobite Relics of Scotland" (1821)


A Lament for Invertebrates
Written in: 2017   Performed by: Frances M Lynch
When I first met Karen Diele I was struck by her passion for her work both here in Scotland and in Brazil. She opened my eyes to an underwater world full of sound – some of which may be dangerous! Her research with her colleagues Edward Bolger, Dr Rob Briers, Dr Mark Hartl, Petra Harsanyi, Dr Ted Henry, Nick Mackay-Roberts, Dr Sonja Rueckert, Kevin Scott, Matthew Wales at Edinburgh Napier University and St Abbs Marine Station forms the basis of the text – a series of questions they are addressing about the effects of noise on sea creatures. The underwater sea world, also inspired by discussions with geo-physicist Dr Lara Kalnins includes the children of Primary 6, Canal View Primary school making sounds like the pistol crab, pile drivers and the final bubble curtain (made with a mixture of vocal sounds and straws in bottles of water) which helps reduce sound underwater.


Lizzie's (Mary's) Magic Dream by Anne Hunter
Written in: 1742–1821   Performed by: Frances M Lynch
The song reflects the story of botanist Elizabeth Blackwell whose husband was executed in Sweden after a series of misadventures. In this song he (Sandy) revisits his "Lizzie" at night as a ghost - the original song was called "Mary's Magic Dream" and her Sandy was a sailor drowned at sea. The contemporary arrangement uses the plants named by Blackwell in her huge tomes "A Curious Herbal"


Muriel's Eye (M wana wa nnyabo )
Written in: 2017   Performed by: Frances M Lynch
Women in all cultures have been creating and singing lullabies since time began. The piece uses a Ugandan lullaby M wana wa nnyabo collected by Robinah Nazziwa a local music teacher which is in Lugandan - the language Muriel learnt from her assistants. It seems likely she may have heard this very popular one - and of course she was working on sleeping sickness there. The African material contrasts with the story of her life and work, sung in the style of a traditional Scottish Song. It was written for the show "Scottish Superwomen of Science" at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe - August 5th - 27th 2017