Recording Lazarus Requiem in Exeter Cathedral

The recording of the Lazarus Requiem reaches its climax tonight and tomorrow night when we overdub the choirs in Exeter Cathedral. I rehearsed the Exeter Philharmonic Choir last night and they are raring to go! It was great to have the tenors and basses bolstered by the cathedral lay clerks - what a great bunch of guys. I have been nothing short of overwhelmed by the kindness, generosity and support of the Philharmonic Choir members. They made me feel at home from the word go, and they have prepared the music with such a sense of commitment. I have every confidence that they are going to deliver everything I had hoped for on this recording.  I must also thank Andrew Millington (the Director of both the Cathedral and Philharmonic Choirs) for handing over the baton and for becoming a good friend of both myself and my music. David Davis (the Assistant Director of Music) will be adding the new organ part later this evening.  He too has been an invaluable support as accompanist through all the rehearsals. What a great player!

Lazarus recording begins

Well, today we begin recording the Lazarus Requiem and I am so excited! It's seven years now since I completed the work, and finally we are beginning the process of getting it on to a CD. I am shortly to take the train from Edinburgh to Glasgow, and then it will be straight to the recording venue to meet up with Andrew Mellor (the excellent engineer from Floating Earth). Later in the afternoon, I plan to have an hour's session with the two soprano soloists - Elin Manahan Thomas and Rachael Lloyd - so that we are focused on the sort of sound we want. Becasue they sing mainly with the cathedral choir in the six tableaux, I don't want this to be too 'operatic' but more pure and ethereal. There is one  three-hour session this evening during which we will record the big duet between Elin and Rachael - the Lux Aeterna. Tomorrow, Thomas Walker will take part in the sessions.  He sang the role of Christ at the premiere and suits it so perfectly! It will be great to see him again. I am  also really looking forward to meeting and working with the Royal Scottish National Orchestra.

New Year - New Ventures

A very happy new year to all of my followers and friends! I'm feeling very optimistic about 2012, not only because the Lazarus Requiem is to be recorded at last - but also because I seem to be working at a high level of creativity.  In particular, I want to produce more choral music, and there are already the seeds of ideas for new Christmas and Easter works. A Blue in Blue mark two is also on the cards. Two highlights of the year are going to be the performance of the Lazarus Requiem in Exeter Cathedral on March 17th and the UK premiere of my Te Deum in Rochester Cathedral on November 3rd.

Preparing to Record the Lazarus Requiem

It's only a month now until we begin recording the Lazarus Requiem.   This is an exciting time for me since it's seven years since I completed the work and three years since it was premiered at The Cadogan Hall. It has taken all this time to find a window of opportunity.... 

We have the Royal Scottish National Orchestra lined up to record in Glasgow. Then, because the Exeter Philharmonic Choir are preparing for a March performance and we have the cathedral choir to sing the tableaux, all the choral parts are being overdubbed in Exeter Cathedral in early February. Thomas Walker (who sang so brilliantly at the premiere) will sing the role of Christ with Elin Manahan Thomas as Mary and Rachael Lloyd as Martha. Albums will be available after the launch in Exeter Cathedral on March 17th.

Final Concert in Laura Wright Tour

The last concert in my tour with Laura Wright takes place this evening at the city centre church in Peterborough - St. Johns. The Raven Quartet has been with us for the rest of the tour but, tonight, I'm delighted that the Toki Quartet are to appear. The concert starts at 7.45 pm. This is a neck of the woods that I can almost call home since its just a few miles from Bourne in Lincolnshire where my parents and brother have lived since the 1980's. It will be great to share this special occasion with friends and family. 

Organ Recital in North Walsham

On Saturday 22nd October, I'm giving an organ recital on the newly refurbished organ at St. Nicholas North Walsham. It's a beautiful building and a fantastic instrument.  I hope to learn my Toccata in time! This was written for the organist Roger Sayer and he plays the piece so well on my album Song of Songs.

Rehearsal with Laura and The Raven Quartet

Just finished my rehearsal with Laura and The Raven Quartet.  We met at the Royal College of Music which brought back lots of memories.  The last time I was there was to film for the Highrove Suite BBC programme with Claire Jones. The repertoire for the concert series sounds lovely - and we are all set now for the first performance in Lancaster Priory tomorrow!