Scottish Music Centre - Catalogue

Programme Note

[This programme note was written for the first performance, at the time of which only four movements had been written.]
When he first mentioned to a friend that he was planning a large-scale work, probably a suite, inspired by handguns, the friend's first comment was to describe the composer as a `post modernist slut'. Sure it may be ever so slightly deliberately provocative, instead of using the more usual objects such as people, paintings, places, etc, but nevertheless guns bring with them their own sense of mystery, mythology and social history. Design was also an important factor in colouring each movement. Guns are essentially beautiful and tactile objects, they have to be, and you have to constantly remind yourself that the beauty of their design hides the fact that their function is to control and cause pain. This paradox fascinates McPherson.
The four movements of the work are as follows:
I Fantail and Lemonbutt of David Mackenzie of Dundee 1635 - introduction and double invention
Throughout the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries Dundee was a centre of excellence for gunmaking. Mercenaries used to pick up guns on the way to various uprisings in Europe. The family firm of Mackenzie were well respected and David Mackenzie was the last gunsmith in Dundee. Guns of this period were notoriously unreliable, duelling pistols included. In fact, the odds of coming away from a duel unscathed were quite high, what with misalignments and misfires. The gun inspiring this movement is an extremely ornate, silver engrave model with the coat of arms of Dundee on it. It belonvs in a private collection.
II Walther Polizei Pistole Kriminal 1957 - passacaglia ariosa
The Walther PPK is probably the most stylish handgun of all: a sleek classic design with hints of both sophistication and seediness about it. James Bond, a childhood hero of the composer, had to trade in his trusty for one, only then to become synonymous with the design. Goldfiner is still one of the composer's favourite films and it is true that McPherson used to go to the same barber as John Barry.
III Baby Browning 1904 - scherzo
The Baby Browning model of 1904 is not strictly a Baby model was given its official title in the 1920s. Still one of the smallest handguns in the world it is a strangely sweet little thing that fits snugly into the palm of the hand.
IV Amiable Disagreements circa 1879 - fantasia burlesque
This movement explores probably the most fertile area of gun manufacturing, the myth known as The Wild West. Focusing on the most famous models, Colt 45 Peacemaker, Remington Navy Model, Smith and Wesson and the original Derringer derringer (the gambler's pocket gun) it was originally intended to be kind of Coplandish, although it has probably ended up having more to do with Randolph Scott and Audie Murphy. In fact it's also about various Saturday afternoons in Dundee when the composer was a child watching old westerns on television (or rather watching his father watch old westerns) and the arguments which would then ensue. The composer's father is still a fan of old westerns and McPherson has slowly come to appreciate their strange charm. As a result of this, this movement still reminds him of rain mixed with Technicolor plains.
Gordon McPherson (1995).