With only two days to go before the first recording session for the CD of my choral works, January is off to a very exciting start. Last week, I rehearsed with Olivia Hunt (the soprano soloist for the "Requiem") which went extremely well and should sound stunning in the generous acoustics of Ely Cathedral. Tomorrow, I travel to Ely to work with the organists who will be accompanying on the recording - Timothy Parsons and Alex Berry - and also have a sneak preview of the Selwyn Choir rehearsing in the afternoon.
Selwyn College Choir from Cambridge will record the Requiem, In Pace and Ave Maria on Friday evening. They are then joined by the Ely Cathedral Girls' Choir for some tracks on Saturday evening. Particularly nerve wracking for me as a composer, is hearing two major works for the first time at Saturday's recording session - The Chester Service and a setting of the Benedictus commissioned for this recording. Very much looking forward to Sarah MacDonald's dynamic directing and interpretation of these works. I also believe that the producer can make or break any recording, so am thankful to be in the extremely capable hands of Gary Cole, with Regent Records.
As if there isn't enough excitement, several new composition commissions have come in recently. I am currently working on a new solo organ work, commissioned by Martin Baker (Master of Music, Westminster Cathedral). This is going to take the form of a homage to Paris, paying tribute to the fine organist-composers Paris has been home to over the past 100 years.
Finally, I am currently deciding on my recital programme for Notre-Dame Cathedral in 2015. So much to choose from, so much I want to play on probably THE most exciting instrument ever built and only 38 minutes to play......
Selwyn College Choir from Cambridge will record the Requiem, In Pace and Ave Maria on Friday evening. They are then joined by the Ely Cathedral Girls' Choir for some tracks on Saturday evening. Particularly nerve wracking for me as a composer, is hearing two major works for the first time at Saturday's recording session - The Chester Service and a setting of the Benedictus commissioned for this recording. Very much looking forward to Sarah MacDonald's dynamic directing and interpretation of these works. I also believe that the producer can make or break any recording, so am thankful to be in the extremely capable hands of Gary Cole, with Regent Records.
As if there isn't enough excitement, several new composition commissions have come in recently. I am currently working on a new solo organ work, commissioned by Martin Baker (Master of Music, Westminster Cathedral). This is going to take the form of a homage to Paris, paying tribute to the fine organist-composers Paris has been home to over the past 100 years.
Finally, I am currently deciding on my recital programme for Notre-Dame Cathedral in 2015. So much to choose from, so much I want to play on probably THE most exciting instrument ever built and only 38 minutes to play......
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