The Linus Song was one of the oldest laments in the Ancient Greek world and was reserved for revered distinguished members of the community. Linus was the mythical musician and tutor of great renown credited with teaching such iconic figures as Orpheus and Herakles, as well as inventing rhythm and song. When asked to write something in memory of Anthony Gilbert it felt appropriate to compose a Linus Song, given his significant achievements as a composer and teacher.

We no longer know what form a Linus Song took, so for this piece I set four fragments of Ancient Greek text concerned with Linus which are separated by two interludes and framed by an introduction and coda. In the interludes, introduction, and coda the soprano sings wordless lines. The first fragment uses archaic (or Homeric) Greek and discusses Linus's parentage, while the second and third are set together and refer to his achievements as a teacher and inventor of rhythm and song. The third discusses his death at the hands of Herakles after he criticised his musical efforts. Perhaps this is a salutary warning to all of us involved in teaching composition, although not one Tony Gilbert would have had to be concerned with; I only ever had one lesson with him but found him to be insightful, generous, and supportive.

Linus Song was commissioned by the Ida Carroll Trust and composed between December 2023 and March 2024. It was premiered on 22nd September 2025 by Imogen Morris (oboe), Lucy Thompson (clarinet), Kimberly Wong Sheat Yarn (harp), and Sarah Keirle (soprano) conducted by Esmé MacBride-Stewart in the Cosmo Rodewald Hall at Manchester University. I would like to thank Dr Alex Apostolopoulos and Professor Armand D'Angour for their help in preparing the text for this piece.