Highgrove Suite News

It is now a month or so since the premiere of the Highgrove Suite. This took place in front of a private audience at Highgrove House and was without doubt the highlight of my career to date. The Philharmonia and Claire Jones played so beautifully and the setting was absolutely perfect. The day after the premiere we all transferred to the Henry Wood Hall in South London to make the recording. This too was a great success, and I am now in the middle of listening to all the edits before we do a final mix the week after next. The recording is to be released in the autumn on the Classic FM label. The build up to the premiere was filmed and is to form part of a BBC2 documentary about the Highgrove gardens. This too is expected to air in the autumn.

The Highgrove Suite

I am delighted to announce that I have just completed The Highgrove Suite. There is still some orchestration to do but the four movements are all now in place. I wrote Goddess of the Woods for The Prince of Wales’ sixtieth birthday in November 2008. Now, this piece (inspired by The Stumpery of the Highgrove gardens) has been joined by The Wild Meadow, Sanctuary and The Gladiator. The premiere, which is to take place in June at Highgrove in front of a private audience, will be performed by the royal harpist Claire Jones and the string section of The Philharmonia. The occasion will be in aid of The Prince’s Foundation for Children and the Arts. A London premiere will take place later this year.

Premiere of new piece for Horn and Piano

I am premiering a new piece this evening at a lovely church near Great Yarmouth. Martham church is one of those architectural jewels hidden away in an almost forgotten corner of England. Just a few miles from the coast, it stands strong and proud against the open skyline, and inside it is genuinely imposing yet thoroughly warm and welcoming. I am putting on a concert in aid of the church with my friend Linda Purdy. Linda plays the E flat horn beautifully and the instrument's mellow singing quality is just right to evoke the simple beauty of the Broadland area. The new piece is called Womack Water and we are playing it towards the end of the evening. Linda will play other ‘concert’ pieces and I am playing the Widor Toccata and some Handel on the organ.

‘After the Rain’ on A level Dance Syllabus

I have had many enquiries from A level dance students about my piece After the Rain. This piece which features on the album Fair Albion appears on the A level syllabus as one of the choreography questions. For the interest of those who are taking the exam (and other readers of this news page, of course) I wrote After the Rain about five years ago while living in a boathouse on the River Thames at Maidenhead. It was inspired first by the gentle rain falling on the murky water, and then by the feeling of 'freshness' and the beautiful sweet smell once the rain had stopped.

I am delighted that so many young people are finding my music an inspiration for the medium of dance - and I wish you all every success with your A level.

New Commission for Lincoln Cathedral

I am thrilled to have a written a new piece for the choir of Lincoln Cathedral. I was commissioned to write a special anthem for the visit of The Archbishop of Canterbury to mark the centenary of the death of Bishop Edward King. This is to take place on Saturday March 6th. Entry to the occasion is by ticket only.

My brother Andrew provided the text. My Dearest Wish is based on the last letters from Edward King to the people of his diocese and the recurrent theme is ‘My dearest wish - be Christ-like Christians’. We are thinking of developing the same text into a hymn, using the melodic material from the anthem. I am really looking forward to being present on the 6th March and hearing Lincoln’s wonderful choir premiere the anthem with accompaniment from the mighty Father Willis organ.

Classic FM Hall of Fame

Classic FM's Hall of Fame is the biggest survey of its kind, asking people to vote for their three favourite pieces of Classical Music. I had the honour of being the highest new entry on two occasions, and my best known track Quanta Qualia did particularly well last year. It's well worth registering your three favourite Classical pieces and making your opinion count. Click here to visit the relevant page.

Ambassador for the Prince’s Foundation for Children and the Arts

I am deeply honoured to have been asked to become an ambassador for The Prince’s Foundation for Children and the Arts. This charity carries out invaluable work in many areas of the arts - particularly music. Through the charity, I hope to reach out to underprivileged children and help them discover their creative abilities. I had the opportunity of witnessing one of the Foundation’s orchestral days last year which culminated in a concert at the Great Yarmouth Hippodrome. The atmosphere was electric, and I was reminded how much natural creative energy lies within young children. Somewhere out there are our future composers, poets, artists, architects and novelists, and it will be a great privilege and joy to be part of an organisation which aspires to discover them.