HEARTFELT Since Westminster Mass (2000) established To fill in the mystery, Panufnik chose three Roxanna Panufnik’s firm place among today’s “chapters”: a traditional trench song ‘And when ROXANNA PANUFNIK leading British composers, she has often I die’ (desperately jolly), Wilfred Owen’s ‘The been celebrated for her choral music. Her Letter’ (transition from light to disastrous) and instrumental and chamber works, however, Alec Waugh’s ‘From Albert to Bapaume’ (utter Private Joe q Hora Bessarabia [7.32] are equally striking, filled with dazzling desolation) – coincidentally written at the same 1 I. Letter 1 [4.11] Hannah Dawson violin imagination and poetic lightness of touch. time, August 1917, as Joe’s first letter. The piece 2 II. And when I die [2.21] Andy Marshall double bass This music encompasses compassion, tragedy is dedicated to Nigel’s father, Joe Cliffe, who was 3 III. The Letter [3.38] w Cantator and Amanda [13.55] and irresistible humour, while demonstrating named after Private Joe. It was commissioned 4 IV. From Albert to Bapaume [3.18] Amy Harman bassoon her passion for exploring diverse musical by Warwick Arts Society for the 2000 Warwick & 5 V. Letter 2 [6.31] cultures, from East Sussex to Myanmar. Leamington Festival with funds provided through Roderick Williams baritone Sacconi Quartet e Second Home [9.50] the Regional Arts Lottery Programme by West Mary Bevan soprano The song cycle Private Joe was born when the Midlands Arts. 6 Canto [7.57] piano baritone Nigel Cliffe approached Panufnik with Robin Ashwell Sacconi Quartet two letters written by his great-uncle, Private Joe The viola solo Canto was written as a set piece Wood, during World War I. They were sent, six days for the Lionel Tertis Viola Competition in 2019. Letters from Burma Heartfelt apart, to Joe’s sister Mary (Nigel’s grandmother) Taking as inspiration Tertis’s Jewish background 7 I. Aung-ze Paing-ze [3.40] r I. Uzbek Processional [5.43] and her husband Tom, three weeks before Joe was in ’s East End, Panufnik selected as its 8 II. Young Birds Outside Cages [1.48] t II. Lament for a Bulgarian Dancing Bear [5.39] killed in action at Passchendaele in 1917. Their base an Ashkenazi Jewish Cantorial chant “Y’hi 9 III. Thazin [2.55] Sacconi Quartet tones were so different that Cliffe and Panufnik rotzon” (“May it be Thy will”), an invocation for 0 IV. Kintha Dance [2.17] were curious about what had happened in the the new month’s blessing. “The title evolved Total timings: [81.23] Sacconi Quartet brief intervening time. Panufnik consulted a out of my admiration for the gorgeously warm graphologist, who suggested that Joe was stubborn, ‘singing’ tone of the viola,” Panufnik says. It was determined and emotional but repressed, with a only after she had chosen the name that she tendency to depression; his experiences at war discovered that Tertis’s father had been a cantor Sacconi Quartet were beginning to make him lose control by the at the Princess Street Synagogue in Stepney. Mary Bevan | Nicholas Daniel time he says in the second letter, “…as you know Amy Harman | AnDY Marshall Mary we boys want looking after, as we are in The oboe quintet Letters from Burma was written Charles Owen | Roderick Williams France fighting for you at Home”. in 2004, commissioned by the Summer Music www.signumrecords.com - 3 - Society of Dorset for the Vellinger is a Burmese orchid: here Panufnik evokes the a monk, named Cantator for his “divine singing (Hail, woodland violet!). The soprano sings the and Dougie Boyd. Noting that the concert would “tiny exquisite blooms” described by Suu Kyi. voice”, who fell in love with a local girl, Amanda. words in their original rural dialect. contain Janáček’s string quartet Intimate Letters, Finally, “Kintha Dance” is suggested by images of They attempted to elope, but were caught; in Panufnik devised a similarly epistolary work. dance in Suu Kyi’s writing. Chordal interruptions punishment for breaking his vow of chastity, The string quartet Heartfelt was commissioned “I came across Letters from Burma – a book represent the oppressive regime that imprisoned Cantator was bricked up alive in the Friary walls. by the Sacconi Quartet in 2019. The quartet was of 52 letters written by Aung San Suu Kyi to a her, “trying and failing to quench the vivid and “Some believe that Amanda died with him as, involved at the time in a multi-media experiment Japanese newspaper between November 1995 and irrepressible Burmese spirit,” Panufnik says. The over four centuries later, excavation work nearby in which audiences were connected to the performers’ December 1996,” she says. “They describe every military coup in Myanmar in 2021 has now cast revealed two entwined skeletons,” says Panufnik, heart monitors via wi-fi, creating a multi-sensory aspect of Burma – its culture, scenery, religion, the piece in a new and poignant light. “but I have chosen to portray her death, after listening experience. “This captured my imagination,” politics, etc – copious inspiration for a new Cantator’s execution, of a broken heart.” The Panufnik says. “Music, for me, is all about the heart.” composition!” Working with John O’Kell, an Oxford Hora Bessarabia was created as a solo set piece bassoon takes the role of the flirtatious Amanda, University expert on the country’s traditional for the senior category at the 2016 Yehudi Menuhin her theme based on a mix of 14th-century madrigals. The first movement, “Uzbek Processional”, music, Panufnik was able to assimilate elements Violin Competition; the duet version with double bass, Cantator’s calmer music is a plainsong extract conjures images of “a grand and regal caravan of this with great care and devotion. here recorded, was commissioned by the contest from the “Use of Salisbury”, a collection of chant of camels and carriages, travelling down the Silk finalist Ariel Horowitz for her and bassist Sebastian used widely in the area. The quintet follows them Road”. This, too, is about the heart: “The court The first movement is based on a folksong of Zinca to play. Yehudi Menuhin had loved Gypsy through meeting and falling in love, capture and musicians of 17th-century Uzbekistan used to set laudatory benediction about the power and music, which sparked the idea for Panufnik to explore execution, and finally Amanda’s lament. the tempo of their performances by first feeling valour of the king, “Aung-ze Paing-ze”. The the Romanian and Hungarian Doina and Hora their pulse. This ensured their music would have whole piece is influenced by this melody and its dance form. The piece follows this slow-fast Written as a solo piece for the Polish pianist Eva a ‘stately’ start, however ebullient their dance details, including appoggiaturas, portamentos pattern twice, peppered with glistening arpeggiated Kupiec, Second Home is based on a folksong music became,” says Panufnik. The movement and quarter-tones. Next, “Young Birds Outside writing that evokes the sound of a cimbalom. from Poland, which effectively is Panufnik’s involves four traditional melodies, the quartet Cages”, is inspired by Suu Kyi’s harrowing Dramatic accelerations raise the temperature second home through the heritage of her father, evoking the sound of Uzbek instruments. The depiction (of the same title) of children trying to towards the end of each Hora. The piece has the composer Sir Andrzej Panufnik. The version dances are superimposed for the ending, then touch their parents who are political prisoners become one of Panufnik’s most popular, thanks to for piano quintet and soprano was commissioned fade into the distance, “and we’re left with a behind bars: “…young birds fluttering helplessly its championship by the violinist Tasmin Little. by Pro Musica Mundi and premiered in a concert lonely wind blowing over the plains…” outside the cages that shut their parents away celebrating both Poland’s EU presidency in 2011 from them”. The string quartet represents the Cantator and Amanda was commissioned for and the memory of Andrzej Panufnik on the 20th “Lament for a Bulgarian Dancing Bear” was cold, relentless bars of a cage; the oboe is the the Rye Arts Festival 2011. It is a musical love anniversary of his death. This piece presents four inspired by Witold Szabłowski’s harrowing child/bird trying to get through. Third, “Thazin” story, based on the 14th-century Rye legend of variations on the song “Hejze ino! Fijołecku leśny” book Dancing Bears, describing the rescue of

- 4 - - 5 - maltreated animals after bear dancing became Texts and Translations to be upset. I have not much more to There don’t seem much to say just now. illegal in Bulgaria. Panufnik wanted to base say only I want you to write straight (Yer what? Then don’t, yer ruddy cow! it on the heartbeat of a real bear - somewhat Private Joe back. So I will now close, And give us back me cigarette!) challenging to source. When her letters to I’ll soon be ‘ome. You mustn’t fret. zoological societies proved fruitless, she resorted 1 Letter 1 From your Loving Brother, Joe. My feet’s improvin’, as I told you of. to a public request on Facebook. A cellist friend To Mary & Tom. We’re out in rest now. Never fear. who lived beside Bristol Zoo finally made contact 203085. Pte J Wood, (VRACH! By crumbs, but that was near.) for her. As it turned out, a young European Brown 2/5th Leicesters. C. coy. 2 And when I die Mother might spare you half a sov. Bear, named Albie, was about to undergo a small 10 Platoon, B.E.F. France, Kiss Nell and Bert. When me and you- surgical procedure under anaesthetic, “which is 28/8/17. And when I die, (Eh? What the ‘ell! Stand to? Stand to! the only time, for obvious reasons, that you can Don’t bury me at all, Jim, give’s a hand with pack on, lad. get to hear a bear’s heartbeat!” Via a digital My Dear Sister & Brother, Just pickle my toes in alcohol. Guh! Christ! I’m hit. Take ‘old. Aye, bad. stethoscope, the zoo was able to supply Panufnik I hope you do No damn your iodine. Jim? ‘Ere! with a recording of Albie’s heartbeat, the not think I am forgotten you, as I With a bottle of booze Write my old girl, Jim, there’s a dear.) anaesthetic resembling the bear’s hibernation. have not had much time to write At my head and my feet, Wilfred Owen – killed 4/11/1918 by machine-gun fire while trying The gentle, slow pulse on one note is a musical this last few days so you And then I know my toes will keep. to get his company over the Sambre Canal. translation of the sound. will have to excuse me. Traditional I hope you are both going on in good 4 From Albert to Bapaume On top of this is a traditional-style Bulgarian folk health, as I am quite well at this present 3 The Letter melody which the bear-keeper would have played time, and I want to know how often Lonely and bare and desolate, on a gadulka, a stringed instrument with a set of my little girl comes to look at you, as With B.E.F. June 10. Dear Wife, Stretches of muddy filtered green, sympathetic strings beneath three to five melodic I wrote and told her she was to visit you, (O blast this pencil. ‘Ere, Bill, lend’s a knife.) A silence half articulate ones. The quartet recreates this effect by using a I want to know if she is doing as I I’m in the pink at present, dear. Of all that those dumb eyes have seen. leather mute and playing poco sul ponticello with asked her. I want you to please give I think the war will end this year. light pressure in the left hand. Finally, as the bear our sister Carrie a shilling or two, to We don’t see much of them square-’eaded ‘Uns. A battered trench, a tree with boughs is rescued, his heartbeat elevates in joy. make a home-made parcel and send We’re out of harm’s way, not bad fed. Smutted and black with smoke and fire, me. I should just love a home-made I’m longing for a taste of your old buns. A solitary ruined house, Albie himself is pictured on this album’s front cover. parcel. Do not be offended at me (Say, Jimmie, spare’s a bite of bread.) A crumpled mass of rusty wire. Notes by Jessica Duchen asking you, because I do not want you

- 6 - - 7 - And scarlet by each ragged fen nice sized Parcel, as you know Hail! Woodland violet! Long scattered ranks of poppies lay, Mary we boys want looking after, Why are you on the edge of the forest? As though the blood of the dead men as we are in France Where can I grow being so small? Had not been wholly washed away. fighting for you at Home, so I I would be hidden by the pines and the shrubs! hope you will please send one Alec Waugh straight away, from your Traditional Polish, translated by André Drzieżyński

5 Letter 2 Loving Brother Joe Wood. 203085 Pte Joe Wood, Roxanna Panufnik 2/6th Leic. C.coy 10 Platoon, Best Love to All at Home. B.E.F. France, Roxanna Panufnik, b. 1968 ARAM, GRSM(hons), 3/9/17. e Second Home LRAM studied composition at the Royal Academy of Music and, since then, has written a wide My Dear Sister & Brother, range of pieces – opera, ballet, music theatre, I hope you Hejze Ino! Fijołecku leśny! Cemu ześ się nie ozwinął wceśniej? choral works, orchestral and chamber compositions, are in proper good health, as I remain and music for film and television – which are so at present, except for one thing, Jakże miałem się ozwinąć wceśniej? Kiej mi słonko nie świeciło jaśniej! performed all over the world. She has a great and I am very pleased to receive love of music from a huge variety of cultures and your Examiner, in which I Hejze Ino! Leśny fijołecku! different faiths, whose influence she uses liberally received very thankfully. I throughout her compositions. want you to know that I have Cemu rośnies na lasa rąbecku? lost my purse in which was Gdzież mam rosnąć kiedym tak maleńki? Toć mnie skryją sosny i soseńki! 2018, Roxanna’s 50th birthday year, saw some full of money, exciting commissions and premieres for the BBC and I want you to put something to and please Hail! Woodland violet! Last Night of the Proms and a co-commissioned send me a nice big Parcel, as oratorio Faithful Journey – a Mass for Poland for I am completely done in now, Why are you so late in your bloom? Blooming sooner is not in my power. City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra and as I have neither money, cigarettes, National Radio Symphony Orchestra of Poland, nor anything whatever, hoping As the sunrays have not reached me!

marking Poland’s centenary as an independent © Benjamin Ealovega you will please send me a

-8 - - 9 - state. 2019 included a new commission for two four founder members continue to demonstrate conductors and two choirs, premiered by Marin a shared passion for string quartet repertoire, Alsop and Valentina Peleggi with the Baltimore infectiously reaching out to audiences with Symphony Orchestra and 2022 will see the world their energy and enthusiasm. The Sacconi premiere of Ever Us for 10 choirs + symphony enjoy a busy international career, performing orchestra commissioned by the Rundfunkchor regularly across the world, at Europe’s major Berlin for their 2020 Beethoven anniversary venues, in recordings and on radio broadcasts. celebrations and a new opera for Garsington Opera. The Sacconi are Quartet in Association at the and Quartet in Residence Her works are published by Peters Edition in Folkestone. Ltd and recorded on many labels including Signum, Warner Classics, Chandos, and EMI The Sacconis’ prolific recording career covers a Classics. Further details can be found at broad swathe of repertoire from Haydn to present www.roxannapanufnik.com. day. Releases of recent years include premiere recordings of works by , Graham Sacconi Quartet Fitkin and John McCabe, and a piano quintet in the Horn Quintet written for The Sacconi Quartet is Quartet in Residence album with Peter Donohoe. In Damascus, their Pyatt and the Sacconis, and Roderick Williams for the town of Folkestone and its surrounding Ben Hancox violin CD of music by Jonathan Dove including In in Silver Nocturnes. areas, enabling creative collaborations with local Hannah Dawson violin Damascus, commissioned by the quartet, and artists and projects, and an embedded outreach Robin Ashwell viola featuring Mark Padmore and Charles Owen, hit Firm advocates of new music, the Sacconi programme. The Sacconi Chamber Music Festival Cara Berridge the Classical Top Ten, and was chosen as one of have given over thirty world premieres, and in Folkestone is firmly established among the Gramophone Magazine’s Recordings of the Year: have commissioned works from Jonathan Dove, UK’s major chamber music festivals and attracts The award-winning Sacconi Quartet are “This important release cannot be recommended Graham Fitkin and Roxanna Panufnik. They also audiences from far and near for its vibrant recognised for their unanimous and compelling too highly”. Their complete recording of Graham continue to tour with Beethoven in the Dark, their atmosphere and dynamic programming. ensemble, consistently communicating with a Fitkin’s string quartets was given rave reviews immersive performance of Beethoven’s op.131 fresh and imaginative approach. Performing with on Radio 3’s Record Review, in Gramophone quartet entirely from memory, in almost complete In 2015 the quartet launched HEARTFELT, style and commitment, the quartet are known Magazine and in The Strad. Their CD of three darkness. “This stunner from the Sacconi Quartet their most innovative project to date. A radical throughout the world for their creativity and quintets by John McCabe featured the composer was all about letting the music speak. Eyes open re-interpretation of Beethoven’s op.132 quartet, integrity of interpretation. Formed in 2001, their on piano in The Woman by the Sea, horn player or closed, it was all you got.” Classic FM HEARTFELT pushed the boundaries of chamber

- 10 - - 11 - music through combining sound, light and touch, Mary Bevan soprano Highlights of last season included Rose Maurrant Symphony No.3 and Schubert Rosamunde with for a truly unique performance in which audience in Weill’s Street Scene for Opera de Monte Carlo the BBC Philharmonic. In autumn 2019 Signum members connected with each performer’s In the 2020/21 season, Mary Bevan returns and Eurydice in Offenbach’s Orpheus in the released her second disc with Joseph Middleton heartbeat through holding robotic ‘hearts’. to Royal Danish Opera for her role debut as Underworld for English National Opera. For the including Lieder by Schubert, Haydn and Wolf. Developed in a unique collaboration with robotics Marzelline Fidelio and for the production LIGHT Royal Opera House she created the role of Lila in designers Rusty Squid and lighting designer Bach Dances with director John Fuljames and David Bruce’s The Firework-Maker’s Daughter, Nicholas Daniel oboe Ziggy Jacobs-Wyburn, and funded by Arts Council conductor Lars Ulrik Mortensen. She will also sang Barbarina Le nozze di Figaro on the main England, HEARTFELT received 4-star reviews make her house debut at the Bolshoi Theatre in stage, and the title role in Rossi’s Orpheus at the Nicholas Daniel has long been acknowledged from The Guardian and The Independent, and David Alden’s production of Ariodante as Dalinda. Sam Wanamaker Playhouse. as one of the world’s great oboists, and is one was described by the latter as “a powerful way to On the concert stage, she sang the world premiere of Britain’s best known musicians. He has experience the visceral physicality of Beethoven’s of Sir James MacMillan’s Christmas Oratorio at On the concert platform, recent highlights include significantly enlarged the repertoire for his profound thanksgiving”. the Amsterdam Concertgebouw and A.Bliss Rout appearances with the BBC Symphony, BBC instrument with the commissioning of hundreds with the London Philharmonic Orchestra. Concert Orchestra at the Proms, and with Mirga of new works. The name Sacconi Quartet comes from the Gražinytė-Tyla and the CBSO in the world premiere outstanding twentieth-century Italian luthier and of Roxanna Panufnik’s Faithful Journey. She joined restorer Simone Sacconi, whose book The Secrets the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment as Mary of Stradivari is considered an indispensable in The Judas Passion; performed reference for violin makers. Ben Hancox plays a Bach Christmas Oratorio on tour in Australia 1932 Sacconi violin and Robin Ashwell a 1934 with the Choir of London and Australian Chamber Sacconi viola, both made in New York. Hannah Orchestra; and Handel Messiah with the Academy Dawson plays a 1927 Sacconi violin made in Rome, of Ancient Music. and Cara Berridge plays a Nicolaus Gagliano cello from 1781. Ben, Hannah & Cara have all Bevan’s discography includes her art song album been generously loaned these instruments by the Voyages with pianist Joseph Middleton and Royal Society of Musicians, Britain’s oldest music Handel’s Queens with London Early Opera, both charity helping musicians in need, for which they released by Signum Records, Mendelssohn songs are extremely grateful. Robin is indebted to Ellen for Champs Hill Records, Handel: The Triumph of Solomon for the use of his viola. Time and Truth and Handel: Ode for St Cecilia’s Day with Ludus Baroque, and Vaughan Williams © Victoria Cadisch © Eric Richmond

- 12 - - 13 - Nicholas has been Music Director of the Leicester released to great acclaim on the Harmonia Mundi Solo highlights include premiering Roxanna Andy Marshall double bass International Music Festival for many years. He is label in 2017. He also works regularly with the Panufnik’s Concerto for Bassoon & String Professor at the Trossingen Musikhochschule in pianists Charles Owen and , and with Orchestra with the Northern Sinfonia, Strauss’s Andy first picked up the bass when he was Germany and at the Guildhall School of Music in many leading string quartets. He is principal Concertino with the English Chamber Orchestra, eight and soon after was encouraged to begin London, and he records and broadcasts widely. oboist of Camerata Pacifica, California’s leading Mozart’s Concerto at the Festival Suoni dal Golfo attending the Royal College of Music Junior He was honoured in 2012 by Her Majesty Queen chamber music ensemble. in Lerici and Stockhausen’s Mittwoch aus Licht Department. He continued at the RCM for Elizabeth II with the prestigious Queen’s Medal with Birmingham Opera. She has taken part in undergraduate and postgraduate degrees, for Music, and in 2020 he was awarded an OBE in Amy Harman bassoon festivals internationally including Parnu, Spoleto studying with Caroline Emery. the Queen’s Birthday Honours list. USA, Aldeburgh, Tbilisi, West Cork, Ryedale, Bath A passionate advocate for the bassoon, Amy Mozartfest and Mizmorim festivals and regularly In 2008 he was delighted to take up a post Nicholas was put into the spotlight at the age of 18 is much sought after as a soloist, chamber attends IMS Prussia Cove. teaching double bass at the RCM JD, now making when he won the BBC Young Musician competition, musician, teacher and communicator, regularly his association with the College continue for after which he quickly established his career with featuring on BBC Radio 3. Amy has been part of Ensemble 360 since 2010 some 31 years. Since graduating in 2005 he has debuts at the BBC Proms and on disc. He made and is a member of Orsino, founded by Adam his conducting debut at the BBC Proms in 2004. Walker. She also regularly performs with the Kaleidoscope Collective, Wigmore Halls’ artists in He has been a soloist with many of the world’s association from 2020. leading orchestras, performing a huge range of repertoire and premiering works written for him In 2011 Amy was appointed principal of the by composers including , Henri . Sought after as guest Dutilleux, James MacMillan, , John principal with leading orchestras in Europe Tavener and Michael Tippett. His recording of including the Mahler Chamber Orchestra, she concertos by Vaughan Williams and MacMillan is currently principal of and was awarded the BBC Music Magazine Premiere ENO. She was selected by YCAT in 2014 and is a Award in 2016. professor at the Royal Academy of Music.

Nicholas is a founder member of the Britten Sinfonia, the Haffner Wind Ensemble and the Britten Oboe Quartet, whose debut disc was

- 14 - - 15 - spent his career freelancing with London’s finest A regular guest at UK festivals such as Aldeburgh, Charles’ solo recordings comprise discs of piano Eugene Onegin for Garsington, the title role in chamber groups such as the English Chamber Bath, Cheltenham, Leicester and Ryedale he music by JS Bach, Brahms, Janácek, Poulenc Billy Budd with Opera North, Papageno for Covent Orchestra, London Mozart Players, and Britten has also performed in Australia at the Perth and Fauré. Chamber music recordings include Garden, and productions with Cologne Opera, Sinfonia, often as Guest Principal double bass. and Australian Festival of Chamber Music, the cello sonatas of Rachmaninov and Chopin English National Opera and Netherlands Opera. Townsville. Charles’ concerto appearances have with , the Stravinsky Piano Ballets Andy is a member of the London Chamber included the Philharmonia, Hallé, Aurora and and Rachmaninoff Suites with Katya Apekisheva Roderick sings regularly with all the BBC Orchestra and has been the bassist with the Les London Philharmonic orchestras. He has enjoyed and the world premiere of Jonathan Dove’s Piano orchestras and all the major UK orchestras, as well Misérables orchestra in the West End since 2011. collaborations with many leading conductors Quintet with the Sacconi Quartet. as the Berlin, London and New York Philharmonic He is a regular in London’s studios, recording including Sir Mark Elder, , Orchestras, Deutsches Symphonie-Orchester Berlin, for pop artists and playing on innumerable Nicholas Collon and Martyn Brabbins. Charles Owen is a Professor of Piano at the Orchestre Philharmonique de Radio France, Ensemble soundtracks for film and TV. Andy plays on a Guildhall School, Guest Professor at RWCMD, copy of a Maggini, attributed to Bernhard Co-Artistic Director of London Piano Festival and Simon Fendt II c.1840. was appointed Steinway & Sons UK Ambassador in 2016. Charles Owen piano www.charlesowen.net

Charles Owen enjoys an extensive international Roderick Williams baritone career performing a wide-ranging repertoire to outstanding critical acclaim. He appears at Roderick Williams is one of the most sought after many major UK venues such as , baritones of his generation. He performs a wide Bridgewater Hall, The Sage & Kings Place. repertoire from baroque to contemporary music, Internationally, he has performed at the Lincoln in the opera house, on the concert platform and Center and Carnegie Hall in New York, the is in demand as a recitalist worldwide. Brahms Saal in Vienna’s Musikverein, the Paris Musée d’Orsay, and the Moscow Conservatoire. He enjoys relationships with all the major UK His chamber music partners include Julian opera houses and has sung opera world premieres Rachlin, Chloe Hanslip, by David Sawer, Sally Beamish, Michael van der and Nicholas Daniel as well as the Vertavo Aa, Robert Saxton and Alexander Knaifel. Recent and Takacs Quartets. and future engagements include the title role in © Sim Canetty-Clarke © Benjamin Ealovega

- 16 - - 17 - Orchestral de Paris, Accademia Nazionale di Santa Cecilia in Rome, Cincinnati Symphony, London Symphony and Bach Collegium Japan amongst others. His many festival appearances include the BBC Proms (including the Last Night in 2014), , Cheltenham, Bath, Aldeburgh and Melbourne Festivals.

Roderick Williams has an extensive discography. Private Joe, Heartfelt, Canto and Hora Bessarabia recorded in Saffron Hall, Saffron Walden, Essex from 21st to 23rd July 2020 He is a composer and has had works premiered at the Wigmore and Barbican Halls, the Purcell Second Home, Letters from Burma and Cantator and Amanda recorded in All Saints Church, Durham Road, London from 5th to 7th March 2020. Producer & Editor – Raphaël Mouterde Room and live on national radio. In December Recording Engineer – Mike Hatch (March & 21st July), George Collins (22nd & 23rd July) 2016 he won the prize for best choral composition Recording Assistants – Tom Lewington, George Collins at the British Composer Awards. Cover Image – Albie the Bear, Bristol Zoo – photograph by André Pattenden andrepattenden.com Design and Artwork – Woven Design www.wovendesign.co.uk In 2015 he started a three year odyssey of the Schubert song cycles culminating in P 2021 The copyright in this sound recording is owned by Signum Records Ltd performances at the Wigmore Hall in the 17/18 © 2021 The copyright in this CD booklet, notes and design is owned by Signum Records Ltd season and has subsequently recorded them Any unauthorised broadcasting, public performance, copying or re-recording of Signum Compact Discs constitutes an infringement of copyright and will 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 for Chandos. in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without prior permission from Signum Records Ltd.

SignumClassics, Signum Records Ltd., Suite 14, 21 Wadsworth Road, Perivale, Middlesex, UB6 7LQ, UK. He was Artistic Director of Leeds Lieder in April +44 (0) 20 8997 4000 E-mail: [email protected] 2016, is Artist in Residence for the Royal Liverpool www.signumrecords.com Philharmonic Orchestra from 2020/21 for two seasons and won the RPS Singer of the Year award in May 2016. He was awarded an OBE in June 2017.

- 18 - - 19 - ALSO AVAILABLE on signumclassics

Roxanna Panufnik: Celestial Bird Roxanna Panufnik: Love Abide Ex Cathedra, Milapfest, Jeffrey Skidmore Colla Voce Singers, VOCES8 SIGCD543 London Mozart Players, Lee Ward SIGCD564 “Panufnik’s works present varied sound worlds, luminous settings of sacred texts and, in the title track, traces of Celtic folksong. “Her music exudes openness and inclusivity, and it is in the Celestial Bird sets a mystical poem by Carmelite nun Jessica choral settings where hope and positivity – two words that lie at Powers with sumptuous harmonies that soar and sting, aptly the heart of her work – are most keenly felt.” showcasing Ex Cathedra’s magnificent purity of sound.” Gramophone BBC Music Magazine

Available through most record stores and at www.signumrecords.com For more information call +44 (0) 20 8997 4000

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