Margaret Keys The Gift of Music “May your soul have the gift of music, may your heart be inspired with song. May the echoes remain in your memory, like a friendship that last’s your whole life long. Every day that you spend with music Is the best day, the best new day of the year” – John Rutter The Irish soprano Margaret Key’s last songs backwards. This saves a lot of album ‘Legato’ (her debut with time on re-takes and gives me the Universal Records) was released in confidence to ‘perform’ them as I 2006. The CEO of Universal Records would in a live setting rather than described her sound as “a voice of note bashing line by line. I always like pure warmth and beauty.” Since the recordings to flow and feel like a then, fans have been delighted to performance as opposed to a watch the blossoming of her career recording session.” and eagerly anticipated the release of The album will be her first with ‘The Gift of Music’ (they have already Tadlow Classics. Margaret shares, “I driven the release to the No.1 spot on met and collaborated with the team at the Amazon classical music charts!). Tadlow Classics when I first recorded The new album is a collection of in Prague. They are a wonderful eighteen favorites that capture group of people and we all worked Margaret’s sparkling tone and elegant really well together. That’s a must phrasing. when recording an album!” It has been a carefully planned out The orchestration also features the venture from Margaret. “I need to be City of Prague Philharmonic really well prepared and know the Orchestra and their lush accompaniments blend exquisitely Bryn Terfel). “There was also a with Margaret’s rich voice. “When I creative team behind the overall look arrived at Smecky Studios I was and presentation of the album, but I greeted by 70 hugely talented, warm certainly had a good input into most and friendly members of the City of things. I wanted to be heavily involved Prague Philharmonic Orchestra. To in all the creative sides of the album.” perform and record a full album with One of the most difficult decisions them was an amazing experience and was settling on the final tracklist. one I will always treasure.” Margaret explains a bit of her process Although most saying, “There was such a albums these big catalog of music to days are choose from. I took about 2 recorded with “I wanted the album to months to gather thoughts the orchestra reflect me as a singer and ideas and I ended up and artist and as a person. So, the with a list of about 40 songs separate, this to choose from. It wasn’t an experience was songs I chose are a easy task to whittle it down more cocktail of all my though. I probably could traditional. “We musical experiences and have made 4 albums but I recorded both training” had to be strict with my vocals and myself. I wanted the album the orchestra to reflect me as a singer and live in Prague. We did this so they as a person. So, the songs I chose are could get the feel of how I wanted to a cocktail of all my musical interpret each song. We needed to experiences and training but also have the same musical approach and contain personal connections such as performing live is really the best way in ‘The Old Man’ which reflects my to do this. We also recorded some relationship with my dear late vocals later in Cambridge with father.” producer Gareth Williams.” One of the most important tracks, of The album was produced by James course, is the title song which is sure Fitzpatrick and Gareth Williams. The to strike a chord with other musicians. orchestra conducted by Gareth Margaret was looking for something Williams and the music arranged by that would represent her. The tune, Paul Bateman (who has previously composed by John Rutter, was just worked with Sarah Brightman and what she had been searching for. “[It] resonates deeply with me and so it particular track. I’m a real lover of was the perfect choice for the album the big cinematic/Hollywood sound name. It is so relevant to how I feel and Paul does this so well.” about music. Music plays such a huge Even the oft-recorded tunes are a part in my life and I am very blessed welcome addition due to the vocal to have been given this gift. I think and orchestral quality. “I wanted it to many singers and musicians can be different from other crossover relate to the idea of not knowing quite albums but at the same time not steer where our gift has come from, whilst away too much from what the knowing it is a blessing and gift. crossover audience enjoy. Therefore, Music is the ultimate gift both to give I wanted it to reflect the uniqueness of and to receive and I am so fortunate my own voice. What I mean by that is, to have the pleasure to share my when you hear the album, you music with the world. This is exactly instantly know it’s me singing. I think what I hope I have achieved in this the songs I have chosen highlight this album.” “Music is the ultimate gift both to give and to receive and I am so fortunate to have the pleasure to share my music with the world.” Some of the other standout tracks and show off the different strengths of include ‘A Sentimental Medley’ (a my voice. Musically I wanted it to be delightful blending of the standards Cinematic in nature with a little touch songs from the WWII era), ‘Where of Irish flair. To me, this approach ‘ere you Walk’ (the Handel classic is a has allowed the album to become a perfect fit for Margaret’s soprano), lovely sentimental journey between ‘All The Things You Are,’ ‘The Old me, my voice and the listener.” Man’ and ‘So Deep is the Night.’ One of my personal favorites is the Margaret’s musical background has vivacious, ‘Lovely Night.’ Of this been varied. She began by studying particular track, Margaret tells us she classical music and then graced the had a very specific vision in mind. “I stage in numerous musical theater knew the sound I wanted for this productions and has also always shared the Irish tradition of music have included performing for Pope with her audiences. As a former Francis and gracing the stages of the teacher, she offers this advice in London Palladium, Carnegie Hall, regards to repertoire selection: “Sing and the Royal Albert Hall. She has what you truly love to perform. If you also recorded for Songs of Praise love a particular style, composer, era (keep an eye out on her social then that passion will shine through platforms for airing dates!) and has when you perform it. Don’t just sing toured with Russell Watson. What is songs that you feel you have to do and next for this talented songbird? don’t put yourself in a box either. “I have been very Experiment with fortunate with the different ideas and “Sing what you truly opportunities I have sounds. When I had within the last came across Billy love to perform… couple of years. Joel’s “Lullabye” However, I have I immediately Don’t just sing songs worked really hard to wanted to put my that you feel you get those chances but own slant to it. We was always aware of didn’t approach it have to” how hard I needed to with a pop feel but work to get there. It’s instead called been all worth it! upon my classical and Irish roots which slightly changed the overall “I will be doing more touring, feel to the song and I think it works recording and performing with the really well. Always know your wonderful Michael Crawford in strengths and play to them but work concert very soon. The most on your weaknesses until they become important thing for me now is the your strength!” release of the new album on June 22nd. I am very proud of how it has all Over the last couple of years, turned out and I sincerely hope Margaret’s career has gone from everyone will enjoy it as much as I strength to strength. Some of the have enjoyed making it!” incredible highlights to her resume The Gift of Music is available for pre-order now. margaretkeys.co.uk New Release Royal Hollywood Love Song Written by Olga Thomas. Performed by Arts Symphonic Orchestra Conducted, Arranged and Produced by Robert Emery Label: Arcava Music Available Now from iTunes. www.olgathomascomposer.com tenor Karl Loxley Karl Loxley burst onto the classical songs, opera and even rock music! I crossover scene with his ringing really enjoyed singing the legit, version of the ‘Nessun Dorma’ on classical crossover kind of songs so I BBC One’s ‘The Voice.’ But Karl’s stuck with that.” musical journey goes back to when he Like many young budding crossover was seventeen and first began singing. singers, Karl got his ‘big break’ on a “I had the opportunity to play Jean reality television show. “Appearing Valjean in my school production on ‘The Voice’ was a great of Les Misérables and I could just opportunity for me. I didn’t win the about sing in tune. So, I had to choose show, but it has changed my life.