THE German bombers brought a deafening noise to the west of Scotland 80 years ago, but that will be replaced with the harmonious sounds of music today in commemoration of the Clydebank Blitz.
The Royal Scottish National Orchestra (RSNO) will put on a world premiere online performance of a major new composition.
Christopher Gough, the RSNO’s principal horn, has penned the work which was originally scheduled for last November but will be streamed today instead through the RSNO YouTube channel at 12 noon.
For Gough the Clydebank Blitz has particular resonance as he has relatives who lived through the devastation.
He said: “It is an honour to have the opportunity to compose a piece of music to remember such a historic event in Clydebank.
“The Blitz is something we closely associate with London, but I was stunned by conversations with my own grandparents who could recall seeing the Clydebank attack as young children living more than 40 miles away in Ayr.
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“The devastation caused by the Clydebank Blitz affected so many people, and I wanted to write a piece that could help current and future generations to remember those families impacted by this awful event, and honour the lives lost or forever changed by the Second World War.
“This piece doesn’t shy away from difficult subjects, such as how the Clydebank Blitz was reported at the time, and the day-to-day fear that so many families lived in wondering when the next bomb would fall.
“I look forward to sharing Clydebank ’41 with you all, both digitally this weekend and at live performances later in the year.”
The RSNO’s chief executive Alistair Mackie has also grown up hearing tales of the Clydebank Blitz, with his mother stressing the vital role a Polish warship played in providing defence for the shipbuilding yards.
He said: “I grew up listening to my mother recounting her experiences of the Clydebank Blitz. Memories of a six-year-old child crammed into an air raid shelter in her garden with both family and strangers.
“Memories of hearing the bombs fall around her and of exiting the shelter to see the homes of her neighbours ablaze.
“Through music we can remember those whose lives were changed by these two nights of bombing and continue to honour their memory.”
West Dunbartonshire Council were given financial backing for the project which is part of ongoing memorial events throughout 2021 to mark 80 years since the tragedy.
The commission is also part of two major RSNO working themes of 2020-2022: the Polska Scotland music series, and the Scotch Snaps celebration of composers in Scotland.
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