Philip Henderson

On The Beach With Alice

This work, a cello concerto in all but name, was inspired by an old black and white photograph taken on Sheerness beach with a very young Philip Henderson huddling up to Alice, his mother, at the waters edge. She had just been made a widow following the tragic death of Philip's father, and she had taken her son and daughter for a trip to the seaside, despite their great loss.
There are four movements: Sunrise; Morning Delight; Dancing in the Midday Sun; Castles of Sand.
This is a reduction for cello and piano of the original for cello and orchestra. Orchestral parts are available - see GMCO108
Duration 18 minutes

On the beach with Alice received its World Premiere in Beijing on 3rd November 2013 played by the Beijing Youth Orchestra conducted by Shane O'Shea with Jacob Shaw as soloist.