When I was asked to write a work for the Yorkshire Building Society Band I wanted to write something that had some socio-political connection, as this is an important aspect in all of my music, and something that had some relevance to Yorkshire. While not programmatic, "Winds of Change" comments upon the major changes that have swept through English society in the last 15 years, driven by economic rationalisation, causing many of the great industries of the Yorkshire area - the mines, mills and factories - to close. "Winds of Change" uses the hymn tune "St Aelred" (Aelred was a monk who spent most of his life in Yorkshire) as the expression of traditional society, and it can be heard in different contexts throughout the piece. In conflict with the tune is a savage fanfare accompanied by metallic percussion (representing the factories) and a triplet scherzo - the winds of change - and eventually these swallow up the tune and emerge as an almost triumphant fanfare. The work also uses tapping on the instruments and vocal sounds, not as gimmicks, but to represent the traditional workers. The work finishes with a brief arrogant and smug coda - the triumph of change! "Winds of Change" is dedicated to David King and Peter Graham and the YBS Band.
