162Booklet 6/3/09 19:08 Page 1

ALSO AVAILABLE on signumclassics

Poetry Serenade

Elin Manahan Thomas Juliette Pochin Jon Christos Nick Garrett SIGCD138

Bringing together four of the best british singers of the day, Poetry Serenade is an enchanting collection of songs that set the words of some of the nations most loved poets to music. Composed by Brian Knowles, the disc touches on works by Wordsworth, Byron, Yeats, Rossetti and others in an eclectic mix of different styles. The four soloists are accompanied by RSVP Voices, the Brighton Festival Youth Choir and the City of Prague Philharmonic Orchestra.

“All those who admire the more traditional end of twentieth- century English song should find things to enjoy here” Musicweb.com

Available through most record stores and at www.signumrecords.com For more information call +44 (0) 20 8997 4000 162Booklet 6/3/09 19:08 Page 3

The collection of love poetry which forms the Old type of music - music born out of our time, yes, but SONG OF SONGS - PATRICK HAWES Testament’s Song of Songs has always presented a which also draws upon the timelessness of conundrum to scholars. The orthodox understanding tonality, consonance and balance. of its presence in the Canon of Scripture was the 1 - 6 Song of Songs 0 O Lord Our Governor [5.15] widespread use in the Prophets of the concept of The ‘hymn to love’ in St Paul’s first letter to Corinth God as the husband of Israel. For the Christian is one of scripture’s purple passages. It describes 1 Love’s Promise [3.08] mystical tradition, the dialogue between the lover love by the qualities it expresses in relationships. 2 q - r The Vauday Part Songs Rhapsody [3.16] and the beloved gave voice to the relationship of It is, says Paul, one of the three things that last 3 q The Oaks [3.19] Many Waters [3.00] the soul to Christ. Bernard of Clairvaux preached forever. The song Perfect Love is not a paraphrase w Second Soprano Solo: Janet Coxwell Stone [3.21] over fifty sermons on them! Jesus called himself of the text, rather it is an interpretation of it. The 4 Faint with Love [4.08] e The Carriageway [3.20] ‘the Bridegroom’ giving authority to this reading. setting was commissioned by the Chamber Choir 5 Love’s Echo [3.54] r In Memoriam [4.25] Some have seen Mary the Mother of Jesus in the of Bradford Grammar School. Soloist: Jack Liebeck, violin Soloists: Suzanne Wilson, soprano references to the ‘room where my mother conceived 6 Song of Songs [3.01] Christopher Watson, tenor me.’ The relationship of romantic and erotic love David Hill commissioned the anthem When Israel to spirituality is the subject of these songs. They Was a Child for Winchester Cathedral Choir in 7 Perfect Love [4.02] t Toccata [4.23] express desire, hope, confusion and joy; the whole 1994. With a text adapted from Hosea Chapter XI, range of emotions experienced by the lover - but it is imbued with a sense of loving compassion there is no final consummation. The metaphors of and explores a wide colouristic range, not only 8 When Israel was a Child [7.23] Total Timings [59.38] vine, wine, garden and fountain are ones that within the vocal textures but also in the expansive prefigure the language of Christian spirituality. organ accompaniment. 9 The Lord’s Prayer [3.40] They provide Christian spirituality with a language Soloist: Christopher Watson, tenor of love that is both sensual and spiritual, of earth This setting of The Lord’s Prayer alternates and of heaven. The text for these songs is faithful between Latin and English. The Latin words are to the text of the Bible but poetic licence has sung to the original plainsong, with the ensuing Elin Manahan Thomas soprano provided a narrative structure and the development choral phrases growing out of the plainsong’s Conventus The English Chamber Orchestra of some metaphors. The cry of the lover to the contours. Interaction between tenor soloist and Patrick Hawes Conductor beloved, the heightening of the senses through choir further emphasises the juxtaposition of the Roger Sayer Organist sumptuous smells and tastes, and the imagery of two languages. fire and nature provide a rich basis for a certain www.signumrecords.com

- 3 - 162Booklet 6/3/09 19:08 Page 5

The anthem O Lord Our Governor had its premiere gates through the site of Vauday, past the lake TEXTS drowning fear. in St. Paul’s Cathedral in 2005. It was commissioned and up to the castle. The poem is in the form of a The rain has gone, by the Worshipful Company of Butchers and uses lyrical ballad and reflects the romantic ideal of 1 - 6 Song of Songs new flowers appear; words from Psalm VIII. The organ plays a prominent beauty at work in the design of the park. In Text by Andrew Hawes The sound of turtle doves is heard. role with its extensive introduction and postlude. Memoriam is the result of many hours of worship In my garden, At times, the choir divides into two, providing and prayer in the chapel, its free form echoing the 1 Love’s Promise taste the fragrance antiphonal effects and an increasing sense of mystical qualities of The Oaks. It touches the deep of the sweetest myrrh. climax towards the end of the piece. The final humanity at the heart of this place and community. Come my beloved C major cadential phrases in the organ prefigure The Vauday Part Songs were commissioned by the where the vine has budded: 3 Many Waters the Toccata. St Peter’s Singers who also performed the premiere there will I give my love; at Grimsthorpe Castle in the summer of 2005. let us stir up, As a seal The castle and park of Grimsthorpe in Lincolnshire let us rouse up on your heart; which inspired The Vauday Part Songs are the The Toccata was written in 2008 for the organist love set me there product of a millennium of English History. The Roger Sayer. It is dedicated to ‘the joyful ‘til it please. upon your heart: park itself contains the pre-history of England in remembrance of my father Jack’ and is inspired by Feed me raisins, Passion cruel as the grave, the remnant of Kesteven Forest. The four poems the exuberance, humour and unflinching hope, feed me apples; as fierce as any flame. explore the themes of time and eternity, divine faith and love of a great man. O my heart - purpose in human history and the nature and Come feast on love. Love is strong, meaning of memory. The Oaks opens up the scale Notes by Andrew and Patrick Hawes, 2009. strong as death. of time taken in the creation of the Grimsthorpe 2 Rhapsody Many waters landscape, describing one of the ancient ‘Kesteven’ quench not Oaks; its free form allows for open-ended See him coming Love. reflection. Stone, in the form of an Elizabethan my beloved; Sonnet, tells the story of the key period in see him coming 4 Faint with Love Grimsthorpe’s history, the dissolution of the drawing near. Cistercian Abbey of Vauday, and the destruction of Snows are melting, Faint with love, the Abbey by Charles Brandon to make a royal winter’s dying, My heart, faint with love - lodging. The Carriageway takes the listener on a spring is dawning so faint. journey through the park from the Little Bytham

- 4 - - 5 - 162Booklet 6/3/09 19:08 Page 7

I am falling, He is my desire, Waken O south wind, Who is this yearning, pure as fiercest fire; stir up his garden, Who comes like the dawn? for your His strong arms like cedar boughs rouse up the scent Who scatters the darkness and heralds the morn? touch. will shield me and will never leave me; of lilies that grow. Maria Regina! O my love Darling, embrace me, Christus Est! Faint with love, taste my wine; call me your fair one, My heart, faint with love - Drink your fill - make me pillows 7 When Israel was a Child so faint. Lie soft and still. soft with pine. In your shadow When Israel was a child I loved him, resting, 5 Love’s Echo 6 Song of Songs but the more I cried the more he turned away. feed me It was I who taught Ephraim to walk, sweetest fruit. Greeting my fair one, Gleaming, shining I who lifted them as a little child to my cheek. waiting and listening, golden starlight. But they did not know that I led them My love is so fair, As the door opened Rising, burning with leading strands of love. Raven black his hair; no one was there. silver moonlight. How can I give you up Ephraim? eyes like doves beside a deep pool I sought him, called him, Warming glowing How can I surrender you Israel? shining with a deep desire. But could not find him, streaming sunlight. My heart changes, my compassion grows warm Kiss me love, Searching, seeking, Sing my heart within me, taste my wine; lost in fear. The song of songs! For I am God and not a man, the holy one in Drinking deep - your midst. Let us sleep. He has a garden Dance heavens! Words adapted from Hosea, ch. XI by Andrew Hawes sweet with rich blossom, Dance starlight! Faint with love, keeping his flocks Dance sunlight! 8 Perfect Love My heart, faint with love - where wild lilies grow. Dance moonlight! so faint. There will I find him. To the highest song of songs. Love is kind: With your There will I kiss him. Gentle is love. tender eyes Tasting apples Maria Regina! Love does not hate or envy; revive and soft with myrrh. Christus Est! Is always patient, comfort me. All things endures,

- 6 - - 7 - 162Booklet 6/3/09 19:08 Page 9

Love is pure truth 9 The Lord’s Prayer You have set your glory above the heavens. You w Stone And goodness. made man ruler over the works of your hands; you Pater noster qui es in caelis put everything under his feet. You lay for ages hidden under ground, No thing I own; Shapeless, you waited, dark and dressed in dirt. Or skill I have Our Father who art in heaven All sheep and oxen, yea and the beasts of the field; Then for a holy purpose you were found Without love’s touch is worthy. the fowl of the air and the fish of the sea. And hewn, cut, measured; dressed for mason’s work. To spend my life, Adveniat regnum tuum For abbey walls and towers you were made Give all I own, O Lord Our Governor, how majestic is you name in To form a sacred place for heavenly sound; Without love is nothing. Thy kingdom come. all the earth. Made cruciform and risen by their blades Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. That monks, their lives on living rock, might found. Adapted from Psalm VIII No hidden truth; Three centuries pass, the fire of worship dies; Truth beyond sight, Panem nostrum quotidianum da nobis hodie No more you echo as the brothers sing. q - r The Vauday Part Songs Or faith that can move mountains, Reformers’ hammers smash and break your choir Text by Andrew Hawes Will free my soul, Give us this day our daily bread, To be rebuilt as lodging for a king. Or heal the world; and forgive us our trespasses Now for a noble use you lovely stand; q The Oaks Without true love as we forgive those who trespass against us. A nobler purpose quarried you from land. are worthless. The landscape honours you; Et ne nos inducas in tentationem e The Carriageway Now like a child: Ancient and last-living. Your sap’s tide recedes far Child like I know, And lead us not into temptation Horse chestnut candles light the carriageway Beyond history’s telling. And see love dim and distant; but deliver us from evil. Which from the highest point the park surveys Being still, rooted by the way, The time will come Amen. The distant house that dips behind the trees, You mock our passing present. When face to face Then sweeps through open farmland green Listening to the language of your leaves, I will see love 0 O Lord Our Governor with wheat. And know Him. We hear the sounds before music: Ancestral voices speaking truths O Lord Our Governor, how majestic is you name in The wooden bridge with white rails Vauday keeps In tongues we cannot understand. Adapted from St Paul’s first letter to Corinth by Andrew Hawes all the earth. Separate, secret, where ancient memory sleeps. The steep wooded valley nave-like arches high; In dappled green cool shade the cattle lie.

- 8 - - 9 - 162Booklet 6/3/09 19:08 Page 11

Then out into the open park it runs BIOGRAPHIES Past shining water drowned in morning sun, And, high above, the house all stately stands And crowns the oak-dressed pasture land. PATRICK HAWES Requiem The journey made through park and wooded grange Patrick Hawes, composer, conductor, pianist and In March 2008, the world premiere of the Lazarus Pass by a thousand years of chance and change. organist, has written some of the most inspirational at The Cadogan Hall represented a The carriageway in classic splendour ends, and sublime music of the new millennium. Born in landmark in Patrick’s career and followed on Proving the certain permanence of men. Lincolnshire, he studied music at Durham University directly from his time as Composer in Residence where he was organ scholar and conductor of the at Classic FM. This position involved writing r In Memoriam University Symphony Orchestra. His skills as a twelve pieces for piano - each piece being composerCana were nourished through his teaching of premiered over a twelve-month period. The pieces Here, sorrow seeks solace, Music and English and, with The Wedding at were directly inspired by a recent move to the And tender memories refine. , he established a personal and thoroughly Norfolk coast and by the wonderful skies and Light falls in from windows set on high: English style that quickly endeared him to the landscapes of that county. The resulting album Windows that deny the outside eye. listening public and led to his appointment as Towards the Light was an instant hit with the Composer in Residence at Charterhouse. The public and, for a second time, Classic FM listeners Here, in this house of many rooms subsequent decision to leave teaching provided voted it the highest new entry in the 2007 Hall of Is one of still simplicity, the freedom to take up a variety of commissions, Fame. A national tour followed and Patrick A place where the yolk of life’s complexity most notably The Call - a song cycle written for the enthralled audiences with his performances at Is set upon His shoulder. soprano Janet Coxwell and premiered by the the piano and ability to communicate the English Chamber Orchestra in Lincoln Cathedral inspiration behind the pieces through his spoken Here, when the doors are closed in 1999. It was with the release of his debut album introductions. The sweetest, deepest silence is received - Blue in Blue, however, that Patrick first gained Silence that echoes with the Word widespread public recognition. Made CD of the Key to Patrick’s work and success has been the Begotten before time. week on Classic FM, it was nominated for a relationship with his brother Andrew. Andrew’s Classical Brit award and was voted by Classic FM words have provided the foundation for a wide listeners as the fastest ever and highest new entry range of choral and vocal compositions such as into the station’s Hall of Fame. The Far Seeing Land, the Vauday Part Songs and

- 10 - - 11 - 162Booklet 6/3/09 19:08 Page 13

theCana children’s opera A King’s Ransom. It was Andrew who conceived the idea of The Wedding at and the Lazarus Requiem, as well as providing the inspiration behind many small-scale anthems and carols. Together, they produce works deeply imbued with the Christian spirit and unique in their symbiosis of words and music.

As well as the release of Song of Songs, 2009 will see a recording of a new work for cello and piano with Julian Lloyd Webber - namely Gloriette which was commissioned by Leeds Castle for a premiere in August 2008. Patrick is also to complete the Highgrove Suite for His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales. This began as a one-movement work for harp and strings and was premiered on the Prince’s sixtieth birthday by the royal harpist Claire Jones and the Philharmonia Orchestra. Three new pieces for the same forces are to be written to complete the suite, each one inspired by an aspect of the gardens at Highgrove.

For more information about Patrick Hawes and his music, visit www.patrickhawes.com

© Andrew Berry

- 12 - - 13 - 162Booklet 6/3/09 19:08 Page 15

ELIN MANAHAN THOMAS Aeneas) Born and bred in Swansea, before graduating from Wigmore Hall in the role of Belinda (Dido and Clare College Cambridge in Anglo-Saxon, Norse for Paul McCreesh. and Celtic, Elin is fast coming to light as one of Wales’s leading young sopranos. In 2007 she Elin studied as a post-graduate at the Royal released her début album with Universal Classics College of Music, and was awarded the Ted Moss and Jazz, Eternal Light, which entered the and Bertha Stach-Taylor Lieder Prize. In 2005 she classical charts at number two. Elin is the first was a finalist in the prestigious Joaninha Award. singer ever to record Bach’s Alles mit Gott, a Future projects include the Songs of Praise birthday ode written in 1713 and discovered in Messiah special from Birmingham Town Hall; a 2005. Elin made her début at the Lincoln Center British tour of recitals with the Academy of New York and the San Francisco Symphony Hall Ancient Music; Harvey Passion and Resurrection with the Mozart Requiem in 2006, and the at the Casa de Musica, Porto; an anniversary Birmingham Symphony Hall with the Fauré concert for the RWCMD in Llandaff Cathedral; Requiem; and she was the subject of an S4C fly- Mendelssohn Elijah in St David’s Hall with BBC on-the-wall documentary which was nominated in NOW;Children Bach St John Passion with Stephen Layton in the 2007 Celtic Film Festival. She first received St John Smith’s Square; Rutter Mass for the Membra Jesu Nostri great acclaim for her ‘Pie Jesu’ on Naxos’ award- in Cadogan Hall; performances in the winning recording of the Rutter Requiem, and was Edinburgh Festival; and a recording of Buxtehude praised as soloist in Bach’s St Matthew Passion at with the Purcell Quartet. the Thomaskirche in Leipzig, under Sir John Eliot Gardiner. 2007 saw her perform in Classic FM’s fifteenth birthday concert, at Songs of Praise’s ‘The Big Sing’ at the Royal Albert Hall, at the Westminster Abbey Christmas Concert; and in 2008 Elin performed the World Première of Sir John Tavener’s Requiem in Liverpool Cathedral (also recorded for EMI) and made her début at the

- 14 - - 15 - 162Booklet 6/3/09 19:08 Page 17

CONVENTUS THE ENGLISH CHAMBER ORCHESTRA Patrick Hawes founded Conventus in 2002, have joined the ranks, bringing with them their primarily to record the music for his highly own particular expertise and a genuine commitment The English Chamber Orchestra, formed in 1960, The ECO has worked with all the major record to the group’s activities. Conventus performed at companies alongside the world’s greatest successful debut album Blue in Blue. Some of the Songs enjoys an international reputation as one of the original sixteen singers already had a high profile the premiere of Patrick’s Lazarus Requiem at The world’s most celebrated ensembles. The Orchestra international artists; recent guest artists include on the choral music scene, notably Janet Coxwell Cadogan Hall in March 2008, and now in Song of undertakes a busy annual schedule of concert Vladimir Ashkenazy, Maxim Vengerov, Sir Colin who assisted Patrick in auditioning a wide range they provide the perfect backing for the appearances, which include its prestigious London Davis, Pinchas Zukerman, Emanuel Ax, Hilary of talented postgraduate students. The result was pure and distinctive voice of Elin Manahan series. Overseas touring fills approximately three Hahn and Sarah Chang, amongst many others. a choir with an engagingly pure and honest tone. Thomas, as well as taking centre stage in the months of the schedule each year and since its The Orchestra is fortunate to have the highly Over the last few years, Rob Johnston has taken various anthems and part songs on this recording. first foreign tour the ECO has performed in almost individual Finnish musician Ralf Gothóni as over the choir’s management and various newcomers * Brackets indicate the tracks that each singer performed on. 500 cities across the globe. The orchestra’s Principal Conductor and Roy Goodman as worldwide reputation is enhanced by its Principal Guest Conductor. The ECO continues to SOPRANOS ALTOS recordings of over 1,000 works and includes pursue a busy schedule of UK work and up to 14 Jenny Bacon (8,10) Margaret Cameron (1-14) numerous award-winning discs as well as those of foreign tours each season, including its unique Lisa Beckley (9,11-14) Alexandra Gibson (9, 11-14) historic interest. annual Mediterranean Music Cruise featuring a Emma Brian-Gabbott (9,11-14), Polly Jeffries (9, 11-14) host of illustrious guest artists. Janet Coxwell (1-8, 10) Sian Menna (8, 10) Amy Moore (1-7, 9, 11-14) Caroline Trevor (1-8, 10) FIRST VIOLINS SECOND VIOLINS Emma Tring (8, 10) Lindsay Wagstaff (8, 10) Simon Blendis Sophie Langdon Suzanne Wilson (8-14) Clare Wilkinson (9, 11-14) Pauline Lowbury Matthew Elston Benjamin Buckton Ruth Ehrlich BASSES TENORS Helen Paterson Edward Bale Jeremy Budd (1 - 8, 10) Neil Bellingham (9, 11-14) Jonathan Bungard (8, 10) Michael Burke (9, 11-14) VIOLAS CELLOS Simon Haynes (9, 11-14) Stephen Charlesworth (8, 10) Clare Finnimore Jane Salmon Matt Long (8, 10) Julian Empett (1-8, 10) Ian Rathbone Dietrich Bethge Charles Gibbs (8, 10) Liz Varlow Gerard O’Beirne (1-14) HARP Edward Grint (1-7, 9, 11-14) Simon Wall (9, 11-14) DOUBLE BASS Hugh Webb Gavin Horsley (9, 11-14) Christopher Watson (9, 11-14) Lynda Houghton David Porter-Thomas (8, 10) www.englishchamberorchestra.co.uk - 16 - - 17 - 162Booklet 6/3/09 19:08 Page 19

ANDREW HAWES Roger Sayer Vierne and all the organ works of Duruflé. He which aims to promote the organ to a younger accompanies many choirs including the world audience as they pilot educational concerts. They Born in Lincolnshire and educated at Sheffield Roger Sayer began his musical career as a famous Tenebrae at the Harrogate International have released their first CD which includes new and Cambridge Universities, Andrew has been in chorister in Portsmouth. He went on to study at the Festival. The Midas Touch Organ Duo is another of and original transcriptions of James Bond themes ordained Anglican ministry since 1980. For twenty Royal College of Music under the late Nicholas his many additional musical activities and one for Organ duet. years he has been the Parish Priest of eight Danby, winning all the major organ prizes. hamlets in South Lincolnshire and, with his wife Between 1980-84 he was organ student at Sian and their family, provided hospitality in their St. Paul’s Cathedral, London and in 1981 was home for people exploring Christian Spirituality. appointed organist of Woodford Parish Church. Tracks 1-8, 10 & 15 recorded at St Giles’, Cripplegate, London on the 2nd December 2008, He leads retreats and writes articles on aspects of and on the organ of Rochester Cathedral on 16th January, 2009. the Christian mystical tradition. Since graduating he has been constantly in Produced by Alexander Van Ingen demand as an organist and conductor, regularly Engineered by Mike Hatch Assisted by Matt Howell giving concerts in Europe and the USA. In 1989 he Edited by Alexander Van Ingen & Matt Howell won third prize in the St Albans International Track 9 & Tracks 11-14 recorded at St Michael’s, Highgate, London on the 16th February, 2007. Organ Competition and in the same year was appointed Assistant Organist at Rochester Mixed and Mastered by Mike Hatch

Cathedral, becoming Organist and Director of Cover Image - Shutterstock Music in 1994. In September 2008 he relinquished Design and Artwork - Woven Design www.wovendesign.co.uk the post to concentrate on his freelance activities Assistant to Patrick Hawes - Paul Wing but remains as Cathedral Organist. Roger is the Musical Director of the Rochester Choral Society. All works published by Novello & Co. www.musicsales.com P 2009 Signum Records Ltd. C 2009 The copyright in this CD booklet, notes and design is owned by Signum Records Ltd. Roger has made numerous highly acclaimed Any unauthorised broadcasting, public performance, copying or re-recording of Signum Compact Discs constitutes an infringement of copyright and will recordings both as an organist and conductor. He render the infringer liable to an action by law. Licences for public performances or broadcasting may be obtained from Phonographic Performance Ltd. All rights reserved. No part of this booklet may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, frequently directs choral workshops and has mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without prior permission from Signum Records Ltd.

initiated and directed several projects including SignumClassics, Signum Records Ltd., Suite 14, 21 Wadsworth Road, Perivale, Middx UB6 7JD, UK Britten’s Noye’s Fludde and a Children’s music +44 (0) 20 8997 4000 E-mail: [email protected]

education week. His concerts in many parts of the www.signumrecords.com world have included the organ symphonies of

- 18 - - 19 -