Composer Prof Paul Mealor gets first symphony premiere in Aberdeen

One of the UK's best-known composers has had the premiere of his first symphony in Aberdeen.

Prof Paul Mealor, of the University of Aberdeen, said Passiontide marked a lifetime's ambition and had been 20 years in the making.

It was performed by an orchestra and singers at St Machar's Cathedral on Thursday evening.

The Duchess of Cambridge requested the Welsh-born composer's music for her 2011 wedding to Prince William.

He was also behind the Military Wives' hit Christmas song Wherever You Are.

'Spiritual journey'

Passiontide, at 70 minutes, is the longest piece he has ever composed.

Despite the fact his music has been performed all over the world, Prof Mealor admitted he was still nervous about the premiere.

He told BBC Scotland: "There's always pressure. I think people that know my music will get a lot from this piece, but there will also be some surprises.

"You have to have variety, so there's some dark moments, some light moments, some joyous moments and some quite powerful moments.

"I hope people get from it what I intend - which is a spiritual journey."

Paul Mealor said the symphony had been 20 years in the making