Flinders and Trim

Flinders and Trim is an 18 minute work for orchestra. The piece does not tell a story, but it attempts to capture the essence of the ocean, friendship, companionship, humour, love and loss. The orchestral palette is used in a picturesque way in large sweeping gestures that contrast with intricate passages, a recurring “cat motif,” inspired by sailing ships and surreptitiously including a reharmonisation of the hymn "Eternal Father". During the composition of this piece, I heard the shocking news of the Christchurch massacre. Having been raised in Christchurch, “Now is the hour” is quoted very briefly as a tribute to the victims and survivors of this tragic event.