Acclaimed composer and pianist Poppy Ackroyd is set to release her personal new single, ‘Notes on Water’, a collaborative project with her late father, the renowned artist Norman Ackroyd. It combines their two artistic disciplines and will be released on March 26th via One Little Independent Records.

‘Notes on Water’ is an evocative piece, composed by Poppy for her father in his final months. The track is energising and lively, with constantly changing sections representing the fluidity of the ocean as well as the vitality and lust for life that Norman Ackroyd so fully embraced, both in his day-to-day and in his work. Poppy initially wrote a more minimal version before expanding it using other sounds from the piano, a technique she has become known for – incorporating percussive elements from the wooden and cast-iron frame, plucked strings, and muted notes. The release includes the solo piano version as well as Norman’s etching – his last artistic endeavour in a career spanning over a thousand pieces – completed before his passing in September last year. More than just a union of craft, this partnership is a tribute to a lifetime of shared experiences and creative admiration.

The inspiration for ‘Notes on Water’ comes from Norman’s annual work trips, during which Poppy would accompany her father on expeditions to uninhabited islands, watching as he captured their wild beauty through his art. These journeys, often undertaken on small fishing boats, provided the foundation for this project, a reflection of their deep connection to the natural world.

In tribute to his legacy, proceeds from the release will go toward the Norman Ackroyd Foundation, which Poppy now oversees as a trustee. The foundation will continue to support printmaking and the arts.