Invocations are founded on three folksongs, which have been associated with religious texts. The first is the Irish tune known as St. Patrick's Breastplate, the second the English tune O Waly waly or The River is Wide and the third Kingsfold or Dives and Lazarus. Rather than just place the folksongs in a new setting, I decided to "compose around" the tunes but I hope there is just a hint of the originals to lend them an air, perhaps, of familiarity. Invocations I and II received their first performance on 4th October, 1999 in Conway Hall, London and were subsequently performed on 5th December, 1999 at Louisiana State University, USA. The first complete performance was on 26th February, 2000 in Portsmouth; they received their first French performance on 29th February, 2000 at Rouen Conservatoire.