Wednesday 30 September 2015, 7.00Pm St Giles’ Cripplegate

Wednesday 30 September 2015, 7.00pm St Giles’ Cripplegate

Lasse Thoresen Mon Dieu Jonathan Dove It sounded as if the streets were running Andrej Makor Paisaje Mikko Heiniö Mater fons amoris Miłosz Bembinow Shakespired Bjørn Bolstad Skjelbred Still in silence Cecilia McDowall Standing as I do before God Cˇrt Sojar Voglar Salve Regina Perttu Haapanen Readymade Alice

BBC Singers James Morgan conductor

Presented by Name

Hosted by the European Composer and Songwriter Alliance (ECSA) and organised by the British Academy of Songwriters, Composers & Authors (BASCA)

There will be no interval

This concert is being recorded by BBC Radio 3 for future broadcast. It will be available for 30 days after broadcast via the Radio 3 website. You can listen to – and download – the concert on your mobile or tablet via the BBC iPlayer Radio app. Please ensure all mobile phones and watch-alarms are switched off. This performance is organised as a part of the European Contemporary Composers Orchestra (ECCO), a trademark project of ECSA. It aims to establish itself as a pan-European ‘body of sound’ dedicated to performance, circulation and promotion of contemporary art music, as well as gaining new audiences. In practice, it is a network of active ensembles, orchestras and young professionals, supporting creative dialogue among composers and performers through contemporary performances and on an international level.

The pieces you will hear today were drawn competitively following a Europe-wide call for scores and showcase works from award-winning, multi-cultural and highly talented composers from all over Europe – nine choral works by composers from five different countries, all written in the past 15 years.

BASCA exists to support and protect the artistic and professional interests of songwriters, composers and lyricists in the UK. Throughout Europe there are over 40 similar associations of more than 23,000 composers and songwriters that form ECSA with the mission to protect the rights of composers and improve the development of music creation across Europe.

LASSE THORESEN (born 1949)

Mon Dieu (1995)

Mon Dieu, mon adoré, My God, my adored, Mon roi, mon désir! my king, my desire! Quelle langue peut exprimer What language can express Ma gratitude à ton égard? my gratitude to you? J’etais insouciant. I was careless. Tu m’as éveillé. You have awakened me. Je m’étais détourné de toi, I was turned away from you, Tu m’as aide par ta grâce by your grace you helped me À retourner vers toi. to be returned to you. J’étais comme mort. I was like death. Tu m’as ranimé par l’eau de la vie. You revived me by the water of life. J’étais desséché. I was parched. Tu m’as ressuscité par le flot céleste You raised me up by the heavenly stream. De la parole qui s’est écoulé The word was spoken De la plume du Très Miséricordieux. by the fount of great mercy. O divine Providence! O divine Providence! Toute existence émane de ta bonté; All existence emanates from your goodness; Ne la prive pas des eaux de ta générosité, Do not deprive the waters of your generosity, Et ne l’éloigne pas d l’océan de ta misericorde. and do not starve the ocean of thy mercy. Je te supplie m’aider me secourir en tout temps I beg you to help me at all times Et en toutes circonstances et je demande, and in all circumstances, and I ask Su ciel de ta grâce, ton antique faveur. heaven of thy grace, the ancient favour. Tu es, en vérité, le Seigneur généreux Thou art, verily, the generous Lord Et le Souverain de royaume de l’éternité. and Sovereign of the kingdom of eternity.

Bahá ’u’lláh (1817–92) Michaela Haslam Paisaje ANDREJ MAKOR Emily Dickinson(1830–86) Mixing fresherAir. Nature wasinanOpalApron, To seeifTimewasthere– By andby–theboldeststoleoutofhisCovert And Awe–wasallwecouldfeel. Eclipse –wasallwecouldseeattheWindow And then–theStreetsstoodstill It soundedasiftheStreetswererunning, JONATHAN DOVE Federico GarcíaLorca(1898–1936) colas enlosombrio. que muevensuslarguísimas de pájaroscautivos, Una bandada de gritos. están cargados Los olivos Se rizaelairegriz. a laorilladelrio. Tiembla juncoypenumbra de lucerosfrios. y unailluviaoscura hay uncielohundido Sobre elolivar como unabanico. se abreycierra de olivos El campo Jamie W.Hall Steven Jeffes Cherith Millburn-Fryer It soundedasiftheStreetswererunning (2013) tenor bass soprano (born 1987) alto (born 1959)

(2006) in thegloom. that movetheirlonglines of captivebirds, A flock are loadedwithscreams. The olivetrees The greyaircurls. at theriverbank. Reeds trembleandshimmer of coldstars. and adarkheaven a sunkensky Above theolivegrove like afan. closes is opened, The olivegrove

Page 3 MIKKO HEINIÖ (born 1948)

Mater, fons amoris (2011)

Michaela Haslam soprano Elizabeth Poole soprano Margaret Cameron alto

Eia, Mater, fons amoris O thou Mother! fount of love! Me sentire vim doloris Touch my spirit from above, Fac, ut tecum lugeam. make my heart with thine accord:

Quis non posset contemplari Who cannot be suffering Dolentem cum Filio? with her son?

Flammis ne urar succensus, Be to me, O Virgin, nigh, Per te, Virgo, sim defensus lest in flames I burn and die, In die iudicii. in his awful Judgement Day.

Christe, cum sit hinc exire, Christ, when thou shalt call me hence, Da per Matrem me venire be thy mother my defence, Ad palmam victoriae. be thy Cross my victory;

Quando corpus morietur, While my body here decays, Fac, ut animae donetur may my soul thy goodness praise, Paradisi gloria. safe in Paradise with thee.

Bogoroditse Devo, raduitsya, Hail Mary, full of grace, Blagodatnaya Mariye, Gospod s toboyu. the Lord is with thee; Blagoslovena tï v zhenakh, blessed art thou among women, I blagosloven plod chreva tvoyevo. and blessed is the fruit of thy womb.

From the Stabat mater and the Russian Orthodox Vespers Till mybadangelfiregoodoneout. Yet thisshallIne’erknow,butliveindoubt, I guessoneangelinanother’shell: But beingbothfromme,toeachfriend, Suspect Imay,yetnotdirectlytell; And whetherthatmyangelbeturn’dfiend Wooing hispuritywithherfoulpride. And wouldcorruptmysainttobeadevil, Tempteth mybetterangelfromside, To winmesoontohell,myfemaleevil The worserspiritawomancolour’dill. The betterangelisamanrightfair, Which liketwospiritsdosuggestmestill; Two lovesIhaveofcomfortanddespair, 2 To shuntheheaventhatleadsmentothishell. All thistheworldwellknows;yetnoneknows Before, ajoyproposed;behind,dream. A blissinproof,andproved,averywoe; Had, having,andinquesttohave,extreme; Mad inpursuitandpossessionso; On purposelaidtomakethetakermad; Past reasonhated,asaswallow’dbait Past reasonhunted,andnosoonerhad Enjoy’d nosoonerbutdespisedstraight, Savage, extreme,rude,cruel,nottotrust, Is perjured,murderous,bloody,fullofblame, Is lustinaction;andtillaction, The expenseofspiritinawasteshame 1 Shakespired MIŁOSZ BEMBINOW Two lovesIhave(Sonnet144) The expenseofspirit(Sonnet129) (2015) (born 1978) William Shakespeare(1564–1616) Her ‘love’,forwhosedearloveIriseandfall. No wantofconscienceholditthatIcall To standinthyaffairs,fallbyside. He iscontentedthypoordrudgetobe, As histriumphantprize.Proudofthispride, But risingatthyname,dothpointoutthee Triumph inlove;fleshstaysnofartherreason, My souldothtellmybodythathemay My noblerparttomygrossbody’streason; For thoubetrayingme,Idobetray Lest guiltyofmyfaultsthysweetselfprove. Then, gentlecheater,urgenotmyamiss, Yet whoknowsnot,conscienceisbornoflove? Love istooyoungtoknowwhatconscienceis; 3 Love istooyoung(Sonnet151)

Page 5 BJØRN BOLSTAD SKJELBRED (born 1970)

Still in Silence (2012)

Still in silence.

CECILIA McDOWALL (born 1951)

Standing as I do before God (1907)

Emma Tring soprano

I have seen death so often that it is not strange or fearful to me.

Edith Cavell (1865–1915)

Standing as I do in view of God and eternity, I realise patriotism is not enough: I must have no hatred or bitterness towards anyone. And when the time was close, For once her eyes filled with tears, Then she quietly rose through the stilled prison, The grey dawn light, passed gas flame, Tired flowers, out beyond her final night, A flame alight in hours before infinity, In the presence of death leaving all enmity: In view of God we are air after breath. Standing as I do.

Sean Street (born 1946)

CˇRT SOJAR VOGLAR (born 1976)

Salve regina (2014)

Salve regina, mater misericordiae, Hail, holy queen, mother of mercy, Vita, dulcedo, et spes nostra, Salve! hail our life, our sweetness and our hope! Ad te clamamus, exsules filii Hevae, To thee do we cry, poor banished children of Eve, Ad te suspiramus, gementes et flentes, to thee do we send up our sighs, In hac lacrimarum valle. mourning and weeping in this valley of tears. Eja ergo, advocata nostra, Turn, then, most gracious advocate, Illos tuos misericordes oculos ad nos converte thine eyes of mercy toward us, Et Jesum, benedictum fructum ventris tui, and after this, our exile, Nobis, post hoc exilium, ostende, show unto us the blessed fruit of thy womb, Jesus. O clemens, O pia, O dulcis Virgo Maria. O clement, O loving, O sweet Virgin Mary.

Vespers antiphon, formerly attrib. Hermannus Contractus (1013–54) Selected definitionsofAlicefromcyberspace Alice isnot Alice ischangingallthetime Alice isinstitutionalised Alice iscamerashy Alice isacomedy Alice ishavingafabvacationofshocktreatment Alice islookingforawayoutofheruncle’shousehold Alice isagiganticpattern Alice isactiveinthehospitalityindustry Alice istrue Alice istall Alice istrying Alice isstunning Alice isdesignedtorun Alice isdead Alice isfab Alice isfast Alice isfun Alice isgold Alice isgood Alice ismykindagirl Alice isontheball Alice isapunteroftheLoudOnline Alice isaveryoldvampire Alice isaclerkintheWondervillePoliceDepartment Alice isberserk Alice isbored Alice isabook Alice isaboutfifteenyearsold Alice isabitsleepy Alice isunderconstruction Alice isevolution Alice isanengine Alice isanangel Edward Price Steven Jeffes Cherith Millburn-Fryer Olivia Robinson Readymade Alice PERTTU HAAPANEN bass tenor soprano (2011) alto (born 1972)

Page 7 MIŁOSZ BEMBINOW Poland PERTTU HAAPANEN Finland

Miłosz Bembinow was born in 1978 in Warsaw. He studied Perttu Haapanen studied composition at the Sibelius composition with Stanisπaw Moryto and conducting with Academy from 1994 to 2002 with Erkki Jokinen and Paavo Antoni Wit at the Fryderyk Chopin University of Music in Heininen. He took composition masterclasses with Jouni Warsaw, where he now works as an Assistant Professor. Kaipainen, Magnus Lindberg, Kaija Saariaho, Jonathan In 2012 he obtained his PhD in composition. Harvey and Michael Jarrell. He also studied electronic music He worked as a Guest Professor in composition at at IRCAM in Paris in 2004. Keimyung University in South Korea in 2007–8 and is the Since then, he has had his works performed in several recipient of the Polish Minister of Culture’s ‘Young Poland’ concert series and festivals in Asis, Europe and the USA, Scholarship . including Musica Nova Helsinki, Wien Modern, Ultraschall, Miłosz Bembinow’s artistic output covers not only MaerzMusik, Warsaw Autumn, Huddersfield Contemporary solo, chamber, choir, orchestral and oratorical pieces but Music Festival, Baltic Sea Festival, Nordic Music Days and also popular and film music. His music has been performed the ISCM Festival. worldwide and broadcast across various radio and stations. He was Artistic Director of the Time of Music Festival Bembinow has released over 30 CD’s of which some were (Viitasaari) from 2009 to 2013. awarded the “Fryderyk” award which was granted by the Polish Phonographic Academy. MIKKO HEINIÖ Finland

JONATHAN DOVE United Kingdom Mikko Heiniö (born in 1948) studied composition with Joonas Kokkonen in Finland and Witold Szalonek in Berlin Born in 1959, Jonathan Dove studied composition with and gained his composition diploma from the Sibelius Robin Holloway at Cambridge and, after graduation, Academy in 1977. He also studied musicology and in 1984 worked as a freelance accompanist, repetiteur, animateur earned a doctorate in the subject from the University of and arranger. His opera Flight was commissioned by Helsinki, where he worked as an assistant between1977 Glyndebourne in 1998 and he has since written more than and 1985. 20 operatic works. In 2010 A Song of Joys for chorus and His oeuvre includes nine piano concertos, the orchestral orchestra opened the Last Night of the Proms. song-cycle Vuelo de alambre (1983), the symphonies Possible He is also committed to community development Worlds (1987), Songs of the Night and Love (1997) and Wind through innovative musical projects. His 2012 opera Life is Pictures for choir and orchestra (1991). a Dream was performed by professionals and community He has composed three operas and is the author of choruses in a disused Birmingham warehouse and a church several books and nearly 200 articles. He specialises in opera involving community singers, The Walk from the new Finnish music, a subject in which he has written works Garden, was premiered at Salisbury Cathedral. This year focusing on the history of ideas (including his doctoral has seen the world premiere of The Monster in the Maze, a dissertation ‘The Idea of Innovation and Tradition’) and community opera commissioned by the London Symphony the history of composition. Orchestra, Berlin Philharmonic and Festival d’Aix-en- Provence, performed under Sir Simon Rattle in three separate productions. Page 9 ANDREJ MAKOR Slovenia LASSE THORESEN Norway

Andrej Makor (born 1987) is from Zgornje Škofije near Lasse Thoresen (born 1949) is a professor of composition Koper. He has been awarded many prizes and is currently at the Norwegian State Academy of Music, where he has a third year composition student with Jani Golob at the taught composition, electro-acoustic music and sonology Academy of Music in Ljubljana. since 1975. He received a graduate degree in composition He was mentored by and continues to work with in 1972 from the Oslo Music Conservatory, where he Ambrož Cˇopi and his compositions have been published studied under Finn Mortensen. Subsequently he studied in several collections. He works with several choirs and electro-acoustic music and composition under Werner ensembles, including the APZ Tone Tomši∂ (last season he Kaegi at the Institute of Sonology in Utrecht. became assistant conductor of the choir), APZ University From 1978 to 1981 he conducted a postgraduate of Primorska, Mixed Choir Obala Koper and the Children research project in sonology with support from the Choir Nazarje. His compositions have also been performed Norwegian Research Council for Science and the at numerous competitions, festivals and seminars both in Humanities. Between 1988 and 2000 he was the Principal Slovenia and abroad. Chair of Composition at the Norwegian Academy of Music in Oslo. A number of his works have achieved wide recognition- CECILIA McDOWALL United Kingdom both in Norway and internationally. He has received a number of important awards, including the Norwegian Cecilia McDowall, (born in London in 1951) has won many Society of Composers’ Work of the Year award and the awards and has been short-listed seven times for the British Music Critics’ Award. Composer Awards. She won the British Composer Award for choral music last year. Her music has been commissioned and performed by CˇRT SOJAR VOGLAR Slovenia leading choirs, including the BBC Singers, ensembles and at major festivals both in Britain and abroad and has been Cˇrt Sojar Voglar’s, born in 1976, started his music broadcast on BBC Radio and worldwide. education in piano and music theory. He continued his She is currently composer-in-residence at Dulwich studies at the Academy of Music in Ljubljana with Marko College, London. In 2013 she received an Honorary Mihevc and graduated in September 2000. Doctorate in Music from the University of Portsmouth His has written 200 compositions for orchestra, chamber ensembles, solo instruments and choirs, as well as film and dance music and arrangements in different genres. BJØRN BOLSTAD SKJELBRED Norway His works are premiered and frequently performed at all prominent concerts and festivals in Slovenia and in Bjørn Bolstad Skjelbred, born in 1970, is active as a numerous foreign countries, particularly the USA. In the composer, arranger, improviser and teacher, with autumn of 2003 he released his first CD Illuminatio, a experience from several genres and musical environments. second disc, Contrasts in Colour was released by the Society He completed a master’s degree in composition at of Slovene Composers. the Norwegian State Academy of Music in 2006 with composers Asbjørn Schaathun and Bjørn H. Kruse as his tutors. He has also taken private lessons with Italian composer Luca Francesconi. He has written over 60 compositions, which include music for other arts and young musicians. His music has been performed across European countries, the Nordic countries, Canada and the USA. Many of his works are the result of collaborations with musicians, ensembles and artists. BASCA ECSA

The British Academy of Songwriters, Composers & Authors The European Composer and Songwriter Alliance (ECSA) (BASCA) is the independent professional association represents over 30,000 professional composers and representing music writers in all genres; from songwriting songwriters in 23 European countries. With 45 member to media, contemporary classical to jazz. Its history can be organisations across Europe, the Alliance speaks for the traced back to the 1940s. interests of music creators of art and classical music BASCA exists to support and protect the professional (contemporary), film and audiovisual music, as well as interests of songwriters, lyricists and composers of all popular music. genres of music. Its main aims and objectives are to The main objective of the alliance is to defend and campaign, celebrate, inform and encourage. It campaigns as promote the rights of authors of music at the national, a leading force in the domestic, European and international European and international level by any legal means. It political arenas and celebrates excellence through its advocates for equitable commercial conditions for world-class award ceremonies – The Ivor Novello Awards, composers and songwriters and strives to improve social the British Composer Awards and the Gold Badge Awards. and economic development of music creation in Europe. Members are informed of the constantly changing ECSA was initiated in 2006 in Vienna within the environment through publications, seminars and websites. framework of the Mozartjahr. It was established as an The organisation fosters a sense of community amongst alliance in March 2007 in Madrid with the purpose of British songwriters, composers and lyricists and encourages becoming the central organisation representing the the next generation of professional music writers. interests of all music creators in Europe, giving every BASCA is an entirely self-funded, not-for-profit composer and songwriter a European voice. membership organisation and relies on the continuing ECSA organises cultural events throughout the year support of its members to carry out its work. Members with one signature event, the Creators Conference, which include Sir Harrison Birtwistle, Sir Peter Maxwell Davies, highlights the role of creators, their importance to cultural George Fenton, Sir Elton John, Annie Lennox, Sir Paul diversity and the need to protect authors’ rights. It has McCartney and Roxanna Panufnik. created new and unique synergies for music composers and EU policy makers.

BBC SINGERS AT SIX Friday 4 December 2015, 6.00pm St Giles’ Cripplegate

Sir James MacMillan Màiri Judith Bingham Cloath’d in Holy Robes; Consider St Cecilia Sir James MacMillan Cecilia Virgo Judith Bingham Mass; Annunciation Sir James MacMillan Fiat mihi

A spellbinding programme of choral gems by two contemporary masters. Sir James MacMillan and Judith Bingham are two of the most prolific, popular and widely-performed choral composers of our day and this concert presents some of their most compelling, imaginative and ear-engaging scores – from a desolate Gaelic elegy for a beautiful girl to a Puritan American’s homespun vision of Christian life.

BBC Singers David Hill conductor Stephen Farr organ Page 11 JAMES MORGAN conductor

James Morgan studied at Trinity College, Cambridge, Production and writing credits with Morgan Pochin before joining English National Opera as Assistant Chorus include best-selling albums for Alfie Boe, Katherine Jenkins Master in 1994 and remaining there until 1998. He has also and Joe McElderry, while film credits include First Night conducted opera for Glyndebourne, English Touring Opera with Richard E. Grant and Sarah Brightman, Quartet, starring and Raymond Gubbay. A versatile musician, he combines Dame Maggie Smith and the Emmy Award-nominated careers as a conductor, record producer and one half of Ridley Scott prodcution Killing Jesus. A new orchestral piece the composing partnership Morgan Pochin. for children, The Great Enormo, written in collaboration He has conducted and recorded with many of the UK’s with the former Children’s Laureate, Michael Rosen, was leading orchestras, including the BBC Concert Orchestra, the premiered at the Brighton Festival in 2013, with further Royal and London Philharmonic orchestras, Philharmonia performances at the Royal Festival Hall and by the CIty of and the City of London Sinfonia and conducted the London Birmingham Symphony Orchestra. Chamber Orchestra at the 2012 Classic Brit Awards. He works regularly with the Danish National Chamber Orchestra and City of Prague Philharmonic and has appeared as a guest conductor with the Copenhagen and West Kazakhstan Philharmonic orchestras and the Odense and Flanders Symphony orchestras. His wide-ranging repertoire encompasses Renaissance polyphony, new music and pop music, with artists as varied as Andrea Bocelli, Jamie Cullum, Rick Astley, Katie Melua and the BBC Singers, for whom he is a regular guest conductor.

BBC SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA Friday 4 December 2015, 7.30pm Barbican

Sir James MacMillan Woman of the Apocalypse UK premiere Tchaikovsky Symphony No. 5 in E minor Judith Bingham The Angel of Mons

Supernatural visitations haunt this evening, both inspired and conducted by the celebrated Marin Alsop. Sir James MacMillan composed his colourful Woman of the Apocalypse for Alsop’s own festival in Cabrillo, California. It evokes the mystical appearance of an angelic woman at times of crisis. Judith Bingham’s dramatic oboe concerto, The Angel of Mons, depicts just such a shimmering vision, this time at the Battle of Mons, performed by the peerless Nicholas Daniel. It is the ‘inscrutable predesintation of fate’ that haunts Tchaikovsky’s Fifth Symphony, transforming tragedy to triumph.

BBC Symphony Orchestra Marin Alsop conductor Nicholas Daniel oboe BBC SINGERS

Chief Conductor General Manager The BBC Singers hold a unique position in British musical David Hill Paul Hughes life. Performing everything from Byrd to Birtwistle, Principal Guest Tallis to Takemitsu, they are second to none in their Choral Manager Conductors Rob Johnston versatility. The choir’s unrivalled expertise in performing Paul Brough the best of contemporary music has brought about Bob Chilcott Assistant Choral Manager creative relationships with some of the most important Conductor Laureate Ruth Potter composers and conductors of the 20th and 21st Stephen Cleobury Senior Producers centuries, including Poulenc, Britten, Judith Bingham Associate Composer Michael Emery and Sir Peter Maxwell Davies. Judith Weir Helen Garrison Following a successful 90th-anniversary season, Production Co-ordinator the BBC Singers’ 2015–16 season includes a third series Sopranos Lizzie Coxhead of concerts at Milton Court Concert Hall, featuring Margaret Feaviour Monteverdi’s Vespers of 1610 with early music ensemble Micaela Haslam Tours Manager I Fagiolini, Handel’s Saul with a host of first-rate soloists, Elizabeth Poole Kathryn Aldersea Olivia Robinson Dylan Thomas’s A Child’s Christmas in Wales led by Chief Emma Tring Auditions Co-ordinator/ Conductor David Hill and a concert remembering the Librarian battle of the Somme. The Singers at Six series of early- Hannah Sander Altos evening concerts in the atmospheric surroundings of Cathy Bell bbc london performing St Giles’ Cripplegate continues with concerts focusing Margaret Cameron groups marketing and on Mahler’s Vienna, American Songs and music by Elgar, Rebecca Lodge learning Cherith Millburn-Fryer Judith Bingham and Sir James MacMillan. Head of Marketing, Based at the BBC’s Maida Vale Studios, the Publications and Learning BBC Singers also give regular free concerts at St Paul’s Tenors Kate Finch Knightsbridge, as well as regularly appearing at major Edward Goater Communications festivals across the UK and beyond. Stephen Jeffes Andrew Murgatroyd Manager Madeleine Castell This world-class ensemble is committed to sharing Greg Tassell its enthusiasm and creative expertise through its nationwide outreach programme. This includes frequent Assistant Publicist Basses David Hopkins collaborations with schoolchildren, youth choirs Charles Gibbs and the amateur choral community, as well as with Jamie W Hall Marketing Manager the professional composers, singers and conductors Edward Price Sarah Hirons of tomorrow. Andrew Rupp John Ward Marketing Officers Francesca Geach Rachel Murphy The list of singers was correct at the time of going to press Marketing Assistant Sophie Goodwin

Senior Learning Manager Ellara Wakely

Learning Managers Melanie Fryer Garth McArthur

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