Hymn to Artemis Locheia op. 252

Peter Maxwell Davies spent a day at a gynaecological clinic in London at the invitation of Professor Ian Craft, who commissioned the piece in memory of his father. During his time there he met many people and shared in some of the deep emotions they experienced. Artemis Locheia is the Greek Godess of Fertility. In this one movement, 25 minute work, the joy and exuberance experienced by couples when pregnancy is confirmed is captured. There are many tempo changes and two extended cadenzas for the clarinet. The work was premiered by Dmitri Ashkenazy and the Brodsky Quartet.