Advanced. Provence was written as a result of a number of holidays in the French region of the same name and attempts to capture something of the feelings that the composer enjoys every time he goes there. Provence is a beautiful part of a beautiful country and the opening and closing sections try to reflect the warmth and tranquillity of this unique part of the world. There is however a darker side to Provence with bitingly cold winters and the dreaded 'Mistral' overshadowing the landscape. Every spring however the darkness is forgotten as the sun shines down and the countryside explodes into vibrant life. Jeremy Dibb