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Home , Alexander Hawkins, Bob Chilcott

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ALSO AVAILABLE on signumclassics

Man I Sing Choral Music by Bob Chilcott BBC Singers / Chilcott SIGCD100

The world-renowned choral composer and conductor Bob Chilcott leads the BBC Singers, as well as the internationally recognised soloists Simone Rebello and Paul Silverthorne, in these new performances of some of his best and most loved choral works.

‘He has the knack of exploring highly effective uncomplicated choral devices, and providing both singers and listeners with a complete cycle that leaves them fulfilled yet still prepared for more ... It is all splendidly entertaining.’ & Organ

Available through most record stores and at www.signumrecords.com For more information call +44 (0) 20 8997 4000 142booklet 23/9/08 13:12 Page 3

MAKING WAVES Ever since I have been working as a full-time young with whom I have worked over the composer I have written music for upper voices. past eleven years, who with their energy, their BOB CHILCOTT One of my first commissions was from Jean community, and their musical diversity have Ashworth Bartle’s Toronto Children’s Chorus back inspired me to look at the way I think about what in 1994, and it was soon after I fulfilled this music and singing gives and can give to us all. commission that I found myself becoming more 1. Circles of motion [2.48] This Day and more involved with upper voice choirs, both as I wrote ‘Circles of Motion’ for the “Sing a Mile 2. Like a rainbow [4.07] 12. I Bring me the sunset in a cup [1.08] a composer and a conductor. This gave me the High” Festival in Denver, Colorado. The text is by 3. All things pass [3.55] 13. II Awake, my soul [1.48] opportunity to write songs, which I love to do. It the living Native American poet, Joy Harjo, who 14. III This Day [2.30] also gave me the opportunity to work with many reflects here on the inevitable circle of life. ‘Like a 4. Making Waves [7.01] 15. IV The bright field [2.50] different young choirs from all over the world, who Rainbow’, written for the Mississauga Children’s 16. V O Lord, support us all the day long [2.26] showed me very quickly how much joy could be Choir in Ontario uses a traditional Native American 5. The Lily and the Rose [4.02] had from working with people such as these who text that expresses how the colours of the rainbow 6. So fair and bright [2.55] A Little Mass* were open, energetic, funny, unprejudiced, honest, show us unity. ‘All things pass’, written for the 7. Catch a falling star [4.24] 17. I Kyrie eleison [2.01] and ultimately always determined to do the very Midwest Children’s Choir Festival in Ames, Iowa, 18. II Gloria [3.05] best work that they could. As a composer in this was first sung by a 400-strong choir with singers 8. Swansongs 1 [2.05] 19. III Sanctus [1.48] context I have always looked for texts that might aged between eight and eighteen. The text, by 9. Like a singing bird [5.08] 20. IV Benedictus [1.18] inspire or motivate, and looked for melodic devices Lau-Tzu from the 6th century BC suggests in a 10. Swansongs 2 [2.15] 21. V Agnus Dei [4.36] that might help both trained and untrained rather comforting way that we inevitably have very 11. All for love of one [3.08] singers shape phrases in the most natural and little control over our destiny. Total Timings [65.21] musical way that they are able. I am at heart a melodist, and I unashamedly draw on many of the Making Waves was commissioned by Susan Knight influences that have touched my musical life - and the wonderful Newfoundland-based youth The Sirens from my time as a chorister in King’s College, choir, Shallaway, to honour the centenary of Iain Farrington piano Alexander Hawkins piano* Cambridge, my time working as an arranger and Marconi’s first trans-oceanic wireless signal, sent Michael Chilcott bass* orchestrator for BBC Radio 2, and as a singer from Poldhu, Cornwall to St John’s, Newfoundland. Derek Scurll drums* with The King’s Singers, with all the breadth of The piece was used on a CBC TV programme made Bob Chilcott conductor repertoire that they embrace. Nothing however has in celebration of Marconi’s life, and was also to touched my musical life more than the legions of receive its first performance on CBC Radio. The www.signumrecords.com

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piece, written for double choir was recorded by Jean Ashworth Bartle. Another more well known one’, uses an anonymous 15th-century text about TEXTS simultaneously by Shallaway in Newfoundland, hymn to the Virgin Mary from medieval time, ‘So betrayal in love and was written for a choir of , and by the Scunthorpe Cooperative Junior Fair and Bright’ was written for Charlotte children aged between eight and twelve that made 1. Circles of Motion Choir and their conductor Sue Hollingworth in Jackson’s elegant Amabile Girl’s Choir from Kendal up the North West Honour Choir of the Association To pray you open your whole self Scunthorpe, . What was so special and in England and was written for them to sing of British Choral Directors for the 2007 Convention To sky, to earth, to sun, unique about this was that both choirs were together with Pamela Cook’s famed Cantamus in Chester. This choir, of about fifty singers still To one whole voice that is you. singing at the same time without hearing each Girl’s Choir. John Donne clearly had not had a good continues to give concerts on a project basis. And know there is more other, while only the two conductors heard the experience in love as is made clear in his poem That you can’t see, can’t hear, choirs at the same time through headphones that ‘Catch a falling star’. This piece was written for This Day and A Little Jazz Mass are two of five Can’t know except in moments and in were wired up through the telephone line. It was a Worldsong, a festival of children’s choirs hosted by pieces that I have written for the wonderful Circles of motion. brilliant idea that took two attempts over two Robyn Lana and the Cincinnati Children’s Chorus. Crescent City Choral Festival in , Like eagle that Sunday morning subsequent weeks, because the first time it was hosted by Cheryl Dupont and the New Orleans Circled in blue sky, swept our hearts clean tried through a mobile phone connection, and as Swansongs (1&2) were written for a group of Children’s Chorus. This Day was written for the With sacred wings. there was so much delay it didn’t work. The second young singers from the state of Louisiana chosen firstJazz Massfestival that took place after Hurricane We see you, see ourselves and know time, however, the CBC persuaded a kind lady who to sing in the 1999 Elementary Honor Choir of the Katrina, and the texts reflect on the length of the That we must take the utmost care lived in the nearest house to the Scunthorpe American Choral Directors Association. In 2007 I day and of life and on the fragility of both. A Little And kindness in all things. church where the English choir was singing to let was asked to be the composer for the fund raising was first performed in 2004 by a choir Breathe in, knowing we are made of them put the feed through her phone line. It composer auction for Chorus America, the of 400 young singers and jazz trio in St Louis All this, and breathe in, knowing we are truly worked brilliantly, and we heard it for the first time organisation that promotes and helps the work of Cathedral in New Orleans, and to my surprise this blessed because we on CBC Radio, with Susan Knight commentating professional choirs in the . Paul work has not only since been performed widely as Were born, within a circle of motion. from the CBC Studio in Newfoundland, and me Caldwell, a composer and the conductor of the a concert work, but also used liturgically in the Like eagle rounding out the morning, from the CBC Studio in . Youth Choral Theater of Chicago decided to try and service of Mass. We pray it will be done secure the bid, and he formed a consortium of In beauty. The 16th-century text of ‘The Lily and the Rose’ is nineteen choirs from all over North America, plus © Bob Chilcott full of multiple meaning, but perhaps the most one from Dunfermaline in Scotland that raised Text: Joy Harjo (b.1951) copyright Wesleyan University Press compelling one suggests it is a song the Virgin thirty thousand dollars for the organisation. I Mary sings, grieving for her dying son. The piece chose two poems, one by Christina Rossetti that 2. Like a Rainbow was written for the 2002 Oklahoma Music celebrates a new found love, and I coupled this Let my life be like a rainbow whose colours Educators Association Children’s Chorus, conducted with ‘My love is like a red red rose’. ‘All for love of teach us unity;

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Let me follow the great circle, the roundness Do man’s illusions last? The bailey beareth the bell away, Salutis. of power. Take things as they come. The lily, the rose, I lay. The well springs out of thee One with the moon and the sun, and the ripple Virtutis. of the waters, Text: Lau-Tsu (6th-cent. BC) Text: Anon. 16th-century English Of care, counsel thou art best, Following the way of honour, a guide to the weak, Felix fecundata; A rock of strength in my word that shall say no lie 4. Making Waves 6. So Fair and Bright Of alle weary thou art rest. nor deception. Sky dark sky bright, Of one that is so fair and bright, Mater honorata. Moon high the moon light. Velut maris stella, Beseech him with milde mod Be kind, be brave, be humble as the earth, and be Moon and sky echo the curve of the sea. Brighter than the day is light, That for us alle shed his blod as radiant as the sunlight! Air flow air fly, Parens et puella: In cruce, Like a rainbow. Sea move the sea high. I cry to thee, thou see to me, That we might come to him Air and sea echo the curve of the earth. Lady, pray thy sun for me, In luce. Text: Guayami Dawn Song Making waves Tam pia, That I might come to thee, Text: Anon. Medieval 3. All things pass Text: Bob Chilcott Maria. All things pass, Lady, flower of everything, 7. Catch a falling star A sunrise does not last all morning. 5. The Lily and the Rose Rosa sine spina, Go and catch a falling star, All things pass, The maidens came Thou bear Jesu, Heaven’s King, Get with child a mandrake root, A cloud-burst does not last all day. When I was in my mother’s bower, Gratia divina. Tell me where all past years are, All things pass, I had all that I would. Of alle thou bear’st the prize, Or who cleft the Devil’s foot, Nor a sunset all night. The bailey beareth the bell away; Lady, Queen of Paradise Teach me to hear mermaids singing, All things pass. The lily, the rose I lay. Electa; Or to keep off envy’s stinging, The silver is white, red is the gold; Maid mild, mother es And find What wind What always changes? The robes they lay in fold. Effecta. Serves to advance an honest mind. Earth, sky, thunder, mountain, water, The bailey beareth the bell away; All this world was forlorn If though be’est born to strange sights, Wind, fire, lake. The lily, the rose I lay. Eva peccatrice, Things invisible to see, These change, And through the glass windows shines the sun, Till our Lord was iborn Ride ten thousand days and nights, And if these do not last, How should I love, and I so young? De te genetrice. Till age snow white hairs on thee, Do man’s visions last? With “Ave” it went away, Thou, when thou return’st, wilt tell me, Darkest night, and comes the day All strange wonders that be fell thee, - 6 - - 7 - 142booklet 23/9/08 13:12 Page 9

And swear, No where My heart is like an apple tree And fare thee well, my only Love! Thus am I banished from my bliss Lives a woman true and fair. Whose boughs are bent with thickset fruit; And fare thee well a while! By craft and false pretence, If thou find’st one, let me know, My heart is like a rainbow shell And I will come again, my Love, Faultless, without offence, Such a pilgrim age were sweet, That paddles in a halcyon sea; Tho’ it were ten thousand mile! As of return no certain is. Yet do not, I would not go, My heart is gladder than all these And all for love of one. Because my love is come to me. Text: Christina Rossetti (1830-94) Though at next door we might meet, Robert Burns (1759-96) The running streams shall be my drink, Though she were true, when you met her, Raise me a dais of silk and down; Acorns shall be my food. 10. Swansongs 2 And last, till you write your letter, Hang it with vair and purple dyes; Nothing may do me good My dress is silent when I tread the ground yet she Will be Carve it in doves and pomegranates, But when of your beauty I do think. Or stay at home or stir upon the waters. False, ere I come, to two, or three. And peacocks with a hundred eyes; And all for love of one. Sometimes my trappings and the lofty air Work it in gold and silver grapes, Raise me above the dwelling place of men, Text: John Donne (1572-1631) In leaves and silver fleur-de-lys; Text: Anon. 15th cent. And then the power of clouds carries me far Because the birthday of my life above the people; 8. Swansongs 1 Is come, my love is come to me. 12 - 16. This Day And my ornaments loudly resound, send forth A ship there drives upon the tide, that sails a melody and clearly sing, doth bear, she has no mast. Oh my love is like a red, red rose 1. Bring me the sunset in a cup When I am not in touch with earth or water, But one oar she hath on each side; her sails That’s newly sprung in June; Bring me the sunset in a cup, but a flying spirit. the snow in whiteness pass. O my love is like the melody Reckon the morning’s flagons up In her front wears two lanterns bright; but That’s sweetly played in tune. And say how many dew, when she is upon point to fall, As fair thou art, my bonnie lass, Text: from A Book of Merrie Riddles, 1631 Tell me how far the morning leaps, Then lend an ear, for great delight of music So deep in love am I; Tell me what time the weaver sleeps 11. All for the Love of One she affords to all. And I will love thee still, my Dear, Who spun the breadths of blue. I must go walk the wood so wild Till all the seas gang dry. And wander here and there Text: from A Book of Merrie Riddles, 1631 Text: Emily Dickinson (1830-86) In dread and deadly fear, Till all the seas gang dry, my Dear, For where I trusted I am beguiled. 9. Like a Singing Bird And the rocks melt with the sun; 2. Awake, my soul And all for love of one. My heart is like a singing bird And I will love thee still, my Dear, Awake, my soul, and with the sun Whose nest is in a water’d shoot; While the sands of life shall run. Thy daily stage of duty run;

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Shake off dull sloth and joyful rise 3. This Day 5. O Lord, support us all the day long Qui tollis peccata mundi, suscipe deprecationem To pay thy morning sacrifice. This day will you strength us. O Lord, support us all the day long, nostram. This day will you bless us. until the shadows lengthen and the evening comes, Qui sedes ad dexteram Patris, miserere nobis. Redeem thy misspent youth that’s past, This day will you lift us, visit us for good. and the busy world is hushed, and the fever of life Quoniam Tu solus sanctus, Tu solus Dominus, Live this day as it were thy last: This day inscribe us for a happy life. is over, Tu solus altissimus, Jesu Christe, Improve thy talent with due care; This day hear our cry. and our work is done. Cum Sancto Spiritu in Gloria Dei Patris, Amen. For the great Day thyself prepare. This day accept our prayer in mercy and favour Then in you mercy grant us a safe lodging, This day support us with your righteous hand. and a holy rest, 3. Sanctus Let all thy converse be sincere, Amen. and peace at the last. Sanctus Dominus Deus Sabaoth, Thy conscience as the noonday clear; Pleni sunt caeli et Gloria tua. Think how all-seeing God thy ways Text: Jewish prayer Text: John Henry Newman (1801-1890) Hosanna in excelsis. And all thy secret thoughts surveys. 4. The Bright Field 17 - 21. A Little Jazz Mass 4. Benedictus By influence of the light divine I have seen the sun break through to illuminate Benedictus qui venit in nomine Domini. Let thy own light in good works shine: a small field for a while 1. Kyrie Hosanna in excelsis. Reflect all heaven’s propitious ways and gone my way and forgotten it. Kyrie eleison. In ardent love and cheerful praise. But that was the pearl of great price, the one Christe eleison. 5. Agnus Dei field that had treasure in it. Kyrie eleison. Agnus Dei, qui tollis peccata mundi, Wake, and lift up thyself, my heart, I realise now that I must give all that I have Miserere nobis. And with the Angels bear thy part, to possess it. 2. Gloria Agnus Dei, qui tollis peccata mundi, Who all night long unwearied sing Life is not hurrying on to a receding future, Gloria in excelsis Deo. Miserere nobis. High praises to the eternal King. nor hankering after after an imagined past. Et in terra pax hominibus bonae voluntatis. Agnus Dei, qui tollis peccata mundi, It is the turning aside like Moses to the miracle Laudamus te, benedicimus te, adoramus te, Dona nobis pacem. Awake, awake, ye heavenly choir, of the lit bush, glorificamus te. May your devotion me inspire, To a brightness that seemed as transitory as Gratias agimus tibi propter magnam gloriam tuam. That I like you my age may spend, your youth once, Domine Deus, Rex coelestis, Deus Pater omnipotens. Like you may on my God attend. But is the eternity that awaits you. Domine Fili unigenite, Jesu Christe. Domine Deus, Agnus Dei, Filius Patris. Text: R.S.Thomas (1913-2000) copyright Kunjana Thomas 2001 Text: Thomas Ken (1637-1711) Qui tollis peccata mundi, Miserere nobis.

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BIOGRAPHIES second consecutive year to conduct his work at the The Sirens “Golden Week” choral workshop of the Choral Association. Two large-scale new works will be The Sirens is a group of young professional Bob Chilcott premiered over the next two years. In 2009 his women’s voices created by Bob Chilcott and Elizabeth Salisbury Vespers will be performed at the opening Fleming specially for this recording. The Sirens are: Bob Chilcott has been involved in choral music for concert of the Salisbury Festival by more than 600 most of his life having been a chorister and ChoralChoirs, Spiritualsand thefor ChristmasChoirs. Jazz volume Folksongs Gaudete. for locally based choral singers and players. In 2010 his Sopranos: Scholar at King’s College, Cambridge, and aChoirs will be premiered in Oxford by The Oxford CharmianWaves Bedford, Kirsty Hopkins, (soloist in member of the vocal ensemble The King’s Singers His work has been embraced by many choral Bach Choir and the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra Making Waves, Swansongs 2) Emilia Hughes, Lucy for twelve years. He has been a full-time composer organisations and festivals worldwide including and subsequently by the co-commissioners, The Preston Page, Raphaela Papadakis (soloist in Making since 1997 and has over one hundred works the Association of British Choral Directors, the Hollow Presbyterian Church Choir in Dallas, . ) Ruth Provost (soloist in Catch a Falling Star) published by Oxford University Press. He has also American Choral Directors Association, Europa Cantat, Katy Butler,* Laura Mizon* worked as an editor and arranger of a number of Festival 500 in Newfoundland and the Song Festival From 1997 to 2003 he was conductor of the Royal anthologies for OUP including World Carols for in Tallinn, . In 2009 he will return for the College of Music Chorus in London. Since 2002 he has Altos: been Principal Guest Conductor of the BBC Singers. Cathy Bell, Georgia Black, Elisabeth Fleming, He has also conducted many distinguished choirs Rachel Gilmore, Ann Morgan, Ruth Taylor (soloist worldwide including the RIAS Kammerchor in Berlin, in Swansongs), Ruth Gibbins,* Jenni Matthews* the World Youth Choir, Jauna Musika in Lithuania, Orphei Drangar in Sweden, the Taipei Chamber * Making Waves and Swansongs only Singers and the Tower New Zealand Youth Choir. Iain Farrington His music has been recorded by a number of choirs including The Sixteen, King’s College Choir Iain Farrington has an exceptionally busy and Cambridge, Westminster Abbey Choir, The King’s diverse career as a pianist, organist, composer and Singers, The Chamber Choir of Europe and Grex arranger. He studied at the Royal Academy of Musicus from Helsinki. In a review of his Signum Music, London and at Cambridge University. He has recording Man I Sing with the BBC Singers he was also participated in masterclasses with Malcolm hailed by The Gramophone magazine as “one of the Martineau at the Britten-Pears School in Aldeburgh. finest choral composers at work in Britain today.” © Vicky Alhadeff © Vicky

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As a solo pianist, accompanist, chamber musician Alexander Hawkins performed at some of the UK’s top venues salsa and folk. He is in demand not only for his and organist, Iain has performed at all the major including the Royal Festival Hall and Symphony playing but also his arranging and teaching. UK venues, including the Wigmore Hall, the Purcell Born in Oxford in 1981, Alexander Hawkins is a Hall, Birmingham. He is a member of the Cambridge Career highlights include appearances on Top of Room, the Proms 2007, the Royal Opera House, the pianist with a fast-growing reputation, described group Assembly Point Four with some of the the Pops and Children in Need. Bridgewater Hall, Manchester, St David’s Hall, Cardiff, as having a ‘fierce technique’ and ‘a wizard’s country’s most exciting young talent, and also and Birmingham Symphony Hall. Abroad, he has given touch’. Equally at home with completely free as plays in the Oxford-based folk group ute. concerts in Japan, South Africa, Jordan, Malaysia, with complex notated territories, he works in Hong Kong and all across Europe. He regularly improvised idioms ranging from funk to jazz to Derek Scurll works with many of the country’s leading musicians, non-idiomatic European styles. He has worked including John Mark Ainsley, Lesley Garrett, Sir Simon with many of the iconic figures of the British scene, Derek started playing orchestral percussion aged Rattle, the London Sinfonietta and the BBC Singers. including in Evan Parker’s trio and quartet, and 11, after musical beginnings on piano and violin He regularly gives broadcasts on BBC Radio Three. performed at venues ranging from Symphony Hall, (later ‘cello). He persuaded his parents to buy him Birmingham, to London’s Vortex Jazz Club. He co-leads a drum kit and move house aged 14, and has Iain was Organ Scholar at St John’s College, The Convergence Quartet (featuring New York- subsequently studied at The Royal Academy of Cambridge University, and Organ Scholar at St based North Americans and Harris Music and with Bob Armstrong. Derek’s drumming George’s Chapel, Windsor Castle where he played Eisenstadt), whose debut album was met with covers many musical bases, such as jazz, funk, for numerous Royal occasions. His solo performance critical acclaim, and featured in two publications’ in the Proms 2007 on the organ end-of-year ‘top ten albums of 2007’ lists; the was critically acclaimed, the Independent writing ensemble Barkingside, whose debut album was “he’s an authentic star, and deserves to have a released on the prestigious Emanem label; and is

Prom all to himself.” the leader of his own Ensemble, featuring former P 2008 The copyright in this recording is owned by Signum Records Ltd. Recorded at The Warehouse, London, 27 & 28 March 2008 Blue Note recording artist . C 2008 The copyright in this CD booklet, notes and design is owned by Signum Records Ltd. No.3 Iain is also a prolific composer and arranger; his Engineered by Mike Hatch Any unauthorised broadcasting, public performance, copying or re-recording of Signum Compact Produced by Adrian Peacock Discs constitutes an infringement of copyright and will render the infringer liable to an action by law. solo piano arrangement of Elgar/Payne Symphony Michael Chilcott Licences for public performances or broadcasting may be obtained from Phonographic Performance Assisted by Andrew Riches Ltd. All rights reserved. No part of this booklet may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or is published by Boosey and Hawkes, and his Edited by Andrew Riches and Andrew Mellor transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or transcription of Elgar’s Five Piano Improvisations Michael Chilcott is a jazz bassist based in Oxford. Cover Image - Shutterstock otherwise, without prior permission from Signum Records Ltd. SignumClassics, Signum Records Ltd., Suite 14, 21 Wadsworth Road, Perivale, is published by Novello. As a composer, Iain’s He has studied with Mark Ridout and Jez Cook and Design and Artwork - Woven Design Middx UB6 7JD, UK +44 (0) 20 8997 4000 E-mail: [email protected] works have been performed in the USA, Canada, has played with instrumentalists such as Steve www.wovendesign.co.uk New Zealand, Sweden, France and . Waterman, Alex Ward and Winston Clifford. He has www.signumrecords.com

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