We spent this summer in Scotland celebrating David Maxwell Fyfe's Scottish roots, performing Sue Casson's song cycle Dreams of Peace & Freedom in Dornoch and Edinburgh, two of the landscapes of David 's stream of natural law
For David, Dornoch was the source of the stream of learning from his mother. The 'old tales' he heard as a child visiting her parents taught him the difference between right and wrong.
Susy Macaulay wrote in the
Press & Journal:
'They are honouring their forebear’s achievements in the way they know best, through a song cycle, Dreams of Peace & Freedom, to be performed at Dornoch Cathedral.'
In Inverness Susy Macaulay in the
Press & Journal wrote:
'They are honouring their forebear’s achievements the way they know best, through a song cycle, Dreams of Peace and Freedom, to be performed at Dornoch Cathedral.'
'Dornoch Cathedral was a fitting place for Artistic Director Tom Blackmore and his talented family to perform ‘Dreams of Peace & Freedom’ written by Sue Casson. The song cycle commemorates the 75th anniversary of the signing of the European Convention on Human Rights through the eyes of Tom’s grandfather, British artisan, David Maxwell Fyfe… I was just mesmerized by the whole thing.'
Lynne Mahoney, curator of Historylinks Museum in Dornoch wrote:
Seonad MacLean, teacher at Dornoch Academy wrote:
'Just wanted to write and say how much we appreciated your family coming into the school and performing for us. It was lovely and very special and inspiring for the pupils'
Edinburgh, his birthplace and childhood home, taught him enlightenment and the value of shining the light of the past onto present problems
'This was a wonderful finale to a great Fringe for me. Through an incredibly crafted blend of imagery, beautiful song and poetry alongside telling the story of David Maxwell Fyfe and his loving wife, I was able to journey in time from the past and into futures.'
And Kirsten who came to our last performance wrote:
'A deeply moving song cycle... beautifully performed. It is both a tribute to the best of humanity, a remembrance of the worst of humanity and a celebration of David's unwavering vision and commitment to human rights'
Charlie MacMillan, the director of Human Rights Consortium Scotland went into more detail:
'Maxwell Fyfe's reflections remind us that social realities change, but what must remain constant is the right to dignity and respect for all. It seems that Maxwell Fyfe's reminder is necessary as... the rights to peace and freedom of many people are increasingly marginalised.'
