Sometimes samples are not enough and you need a little extra for a project. I often record clarinet and voice elements for my compositions. This next project will need panpipes and percussion. It is not that samples are not adequate sounds - they are just too tidy. This one needs to be a little rough-and-ready, so I will spend several days recording different instruments and compose music afterwards using the recordings.
"You'll Never Walk Alone" (recorded alone)
These talented U.S. high school students recorded the ten parts for this arrangement while in lockdown, all using different microphones in different locations. The challenge for me was to clarify the recordings and then mix the tracks to sound as though they had been performed together, with the balance and nuance of a real performance, correcting and perfecting.
Chester Philharmonic Orchestra at Chester Cathedral
Tonight, I had the pleasure of enjoying Chester Philharmonic Orchestra performing in the stunning setting of Chester Cathedral.
It was an ambitious programme of Beethoven and Brahms, playing to a large and appreciative audience in the heart of the Cathedral.
The concert began powerfully with Beethoven’s Fidelio. Conductor David Chatwin coped admirably with the large reverb of the Cathedral surroundings, allowing the drama of the piece to develop. The strings and timpani were especially dynamic. Fidelio proved to be a good choice to warm the orchestra up for Brahms’ Violin Concerto, with soloist Qian Wu. While not denying her technical facility in the rapid portions of this composition, she seemed to shine brightest in the lilting lyrical passages. The role of the orchestra in supporting a concerto soloist is never one to envy, but they gave a sensitive performance, maintained to the final bar.
After the interval, the last piece of the evening was Beethoven’s Pastoral – Symphony no. 6. This well-known composition has so much exposed writing that it is a good test of an orchestra’s ability. Coming at the end of a busy concert, they might have been tired but it didn’t show. The atmosphere of the concert was friendly and welcoming and a credit to the hard work of the dedicated musicians of Chester Philharmonic Orchestra.
A Tree Call'd Judith
Submitted to the New Cambridge Singers' composition competition, with original text based on an unfinished poem by William Cowper: A Tree Call'd Judith.
The Pied Piper - with children's choir
My completed competition entry of The Pied Piper of Hamelin, from the original text by Robert Browning.
Voces 8 singing "Remember Now"
What a fantastic time we had in St. Andrews! In 36 hours we travelled 600 miles on 7 trains and 2 buses, toured the cathedral in sunshine and the castle under silvery skies. We even fitted in a flying visit to the Medieval Church in Leuchars before heading home. But the highlight was spending Thursday evening in the company of Voces 8, as with good humour and consummate talent, they patiently performed 4 new compositions and led critical discussion with each composer. Thank you, Voces 8 and thanks also to Chris Bragg, Sonia Stevenson and Bede Williams for arranging the event.
"Tapestry of Love" released by Soundiff
One of my compositions, Tapestry of Love, is included on Soundiff's latest release, Miniatures vol 1. The piece is for solo flute.
This work alludes to the love of Penelope, waiting decades for the return of her Odysseus. She weaves the tapestry to stall her suitors, promising to marry when it is complete. Every time she finishes the tapestry, she unravels all of her work to buy Odysseus more time. The recapitulation of the theme in this work echoes that fact, presenting the same notes with slightly different articulations, just as the same tapestry would be almost identical and yet differ in the details. The coda to the work sets aside the activity of sewing, for the stillness of resolution - the return of the beloved.
Javier Pérez Garrido performs "Romance" by Abigail Fox
Thanks to Javier Pérez Garrido for uploading this recording of his performance of this miniature for clarinet
St. Edmund the Saint
St. Edmundsbury Cathedral released details of a composition competition with a text drawn from the martyrdom of Edmund. My composition, for SATB, sets the text by Frances Ward in full and is submitted for consideration.