WILL TODD I have been extremely fortunate to have been From that first commission followed OperaGenesis The Call of Wisdom championed by John Studzinski and his Genesis workshops at House of my opera Foundation and to have been consistently supported Pusila, leading to a second Genesis commission. by such a perceptive individual and organisation. This was for a choral piece based on a Padre Choral Works by Will Todd (b.1970) Artists need support for their voices to be heard Pio prayer Stay With Me, Lord also performed by 1 The Lord is My Shepherd [4.48] and I am grateful and humbled by the opportunities and , this time Genesis have offered me. I was commissioned by at a packed alongside 2 Stay With Me, Lord [7.44] the Genesis Foundation to write Among Angels for Padre Pio commissions from James MacMillan 3 The Call of Wisdom [5.12] performance by Harry Christophers and The Sixteen and Roxanna Panufnik. It gives me immense 4 Man Unkind [5.09] in Salzburg in celebration of John’s 50th birthday. satisfaction that the Padre Pio CD has received 5 My Lord Has Come [3.25] This was the beginning of our relationship and praise from around the world and that my setting 6 That We May Love Again [6.21] I’ll never forget my first meeting with John when has been performed and enjoyed by choirs and he quizzed me in depth about angels, choral congregations all over the country. 7 Vidi Speciosam [7.03] textures and many other things both musical and spiritual. I came away with my head reeling My friendship and collaboration with John Among Angels but determined to create as strong a piece of Studzinski and the Genesis Foundation has been 8 Part 1: Fear Not [5.35] choral music as possible. I wanted it to be worthy inspiring and nurturing. Quite simply, neither 9 Part 2: Find only Joy [3.08] of John, but also for the music to be as expressive commission included on this recording could 0 Part 3: Seek out Light [5.54] as possible and to touch people, and as someone have been brought to life without their vision with a lifelong love of choral music that opportunity and support. On this disc these pieces are paired q You Have Seen the House Built [5.42] to work with a top quality chamber choir like with other favourites from my choral repertoire, w I Sing Because… [6.39] The Sixteen was a dream come true. Among Angels in several cases featuring new arrangements for has gone on to be one of my most popular and the recording. Total timings: [66.46] critically acclaimed compositions, with several recordings and many performances since the © Will Todd, 2012 premiere in 2006. ENGLISH CHAMBER ORCHESTRA NIGEL SHORT, CONDUCTOR

www.signumrecords.com www.willtodd.com - 3 - TEXTS 2 Stay With Me, Lord the sorrows, Lord, temptation. for upper voices, this disc features the SATB O Jesus, I need you to hold me in this night of exile. version of this lyrical anthem. 1 The Lord is My Shepherd Commissioned by the Genesis Foundation and first performed I ask no comfort but your staying, by The Sixteen in Westminster Cathedral, London in June, 2008, conducted by Harry Christophers. your love, your will, your light, your spirit. Lord of wisdom, Lord of truth, From Te Deum (2009). I ask no other consolation. Lord of justice, Lord of mercy; This was another incredible opportunity – to work I ask no other gift but love. walk beside us down the years This setting was written as the fourth movement with the Genesis Foundation to write music to set Let me perceive you as your disciples till we see you in your glory. of my 2009 Te Deum, which was commissioned by the powerful prayer of St Padre Pio of Pietrelcina, in the breaking of bread. Striving to attain the heights, Vivace Chorus, conducted by Jeremy Backhouse. It ‘Stay with me, Lord’. In its original 2008 version May your Eucharist be the breaking of the day, turning in a new direction, was originally performed by a choir of 120 school Stay With Me, Lord was written for piano the joy of my heart. entering a lonely place, children in Guildford Cathedral and has since been accompaniment, but here strings and harp replace Lord, end this night of exile, welcoming a friend or stranger. used frequently in worship. the piano, adding further to the richness of the and at my death stay with me, I am here, I am with you. I have called: if not in bread, in grace and love. words, which have been so beautifully developed do you hear me? The Lord is my shepherd, and poeticized by Ben Dunwell. Silver is of passing worth, therefore can I lack nothing. Words by Ben Dunwell, based on a prayer by St Padre Pio of Pietrelcina (1887–1968). gold is not of constant value, He makes me lie down in green pastures Stay with me, Lord, for you are my life, jewels sparkle for a while; and leads me beside still waters. my strength and my faith, my passion and light. 3 The Call of Wisdom what you long for is not lasting. And I will dwell in the house of the Lord. Lord, stay lest I forget you, Rulers govern under me Though I walk through the valley abandon you, fall in the dark. Commissioned by the Chapter of St Paul’s Cathedral for the with my insight and my wisdom. of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; Diamond Jubilee of HM The Queen, with generous sponsorship by O Lord, my soul is poor, but let it be a home for you. Those who know me know my love, for you are with me, The Worshipful Company of Horners. Stay with me, Lord, that I may see your will. those who seek me find their answer. your rod and your staff comfort me. Stay with me, O my Lord, that I may hear your voice. On June 5th 2012 this piece was presented on the God the Father and the Son, You are my shepherd. Stay with me, that I may love you. occasion of a Service of Thanksgiving at St Paul’s Holy Spirit coeternal. Surely your goodness Stay with me, Lord, that I may be true. Cathedral for the Diamond Jubilee of HM Queen Glory be ascribed to you, and loving mercy shall follow me Stay, Jesus, stay, for the day is late, Elizabeth II. It was performed by the specially now and to the end of ages. all the days of my life. and night comes quickly. auditioned Diamond Choir, formed of children Words by Michael Hampel (based on Proverbs 8). Words from Psalm 23. Judgement and death, eternity come; from all over the UK, alongside the choristers of Lord, strengthen me. St Paul’s Cathedral and the , I fear the dark, the Cross, conducted by . Originally written

- 4 - - 5 - 4 Man Unkind 1’ was first published (bringing enduring favourites 6 That We May Love Again and bless the birth of every child to the choral world, including Sir David Willcocks’ that lights our way to God. From St Cuthbert (1996) by Will Todd and Ben Dunwell. memorable descant to O Come, All Ye Faithful and From Te Deum (2009). his beautiful arrangement of Away in a Manger). Words by Ben Dunwell Durham Cathedral contains the tomb of the I was delighted that my carol My Lord Has Come This moving poem is the third movement of revered Northumbrian mystic, Saint Cuthbert, who was chosen by current editors Bob Chilcott and my Te Deum setting. In it Ben Dunwell makes 7 Vidi Speciosam died in 687. It was at Durham Cathedral that our David Blackwell to be included in the new edition. a passionate plea for forgiveness and escape oratorio St Cuthbert was first performed in 1996, Such an exciting moment, as I have wonderful from the enduring horrors of war. It is a poem of Commissioned by Felicitas and there conductor Simon Winters on the occasion of the choir’s 20th anniversary. as part of the 900th anniversary of the arrival of memories of singing music from the earlier darkness but also of intense hope for the future. St Cuthbert’s body. Carols for Choirs books in my formative years. Dead my daughter, dead my son. Vidi speciosam sicut columbam ascendentem Man unkind, what mercy shall you find Shepherds, called by angels, Dead my lover, wrapped in cloth and laid in earth. desuper rivos aquarum; when you are tried? called by love and angels: O Lord, bring peace to the hearts of war and hate. cuius inaestimabilis odor erat Man, have mercy. No place for them but a stable. O Lord, give rest to the taken ones nimis in vestimentis eius. Your Saviour’s face was shown My Lord has come. whose peace will come too late. Et sicut dies verni from heav’n above Sages, searching for stars, We who have the most to tell circumdabant eam flores to teach us that the grace of man is love. searching for love in heaven; have no voice to speak. rosarum et lilia convallium. Poor mankind, what mercy shall you find No place for them but a stable. We who have the most to weep Quae est ista quae ascendit per desertum when you are tried? My Lord has come. have no tears to let. sicut virgula fumi ex aromatibus Let hatred be forgotten and anger cease. His love will hold me, We who have the most to bear myrrhae et thuris? So may you rise as angels and at peace. his love will cherish me, have been rendered weak. love will cradle me. We who are the most forgotten Words by Ben Dunwell I saw my fair one Lead me, lead me to see him, never can forget. like a dove rising sages and shepherds and angels; Lord, bring peace, that we may know our pain. 5 My Lord Has Come above the streams of water; No place for me but a stable. O Lord, bring peace, that we may love again, whose wonderful fragrance was My Lord has come. that we may live again the lover’s touch, In summer 2010 was that we may live again the love of earth, powerful in her clothing. searching for material for a new Carols for Choirs Words by Will Todd. And, as on a spring day, book to celebrate 50 years since ‘Carols for Choirs she was encircled by blooms of roses and lilies of the valley.

- 6 - - 7 - Who is it that rises from the desert q You Have Seen the House Built w I Sing Because… like a plume of smoke suffused with the scent of myrrh and incense? Commissioned by Chichester Cathedral in 2008 to celebrate the From Songs of Love (2012) for Elena Sharkova and the Symphony 900th anniversary of the Cathedral. Silicon Valley Chorale in California.

Text from the Song of Songs, translation by Ralph Woodward Chichester Cathedral is awash with vibrant This is the third movement of a set of songs for 8 - 0 Among Angels colours: in the altar pieces and in the amazing art choir and jazz trio, premiered in San Jose in June that has been commissioned over many years to 2012. The words have been beautifully crafted from Commissioned by the Genesis Foundation and first performed by be a permanent part of the building, including the original Greek poems by US poet Nils Peterson. The Sixteen in Salzburg on the occasion of Genesis Foundation stunning Marc Chagall stained glass window. It founder John Studzinski’s 50th birthday in May 2006. was these colours I had in mind when setting T.S. I sing because you loved me once, Eliot’s profound words for choir and organ. I sing when the sun shines, This was my first collaboration with the Genesis when it rains and when it snows. Foundation and the piece makes full and lyrical use You have seen the house built, Because you held me in your arms one night of the sumptuous choral textures of the chamber you have seen it adorned I am as beautiful as a wide-open lily. choir, interwoven with bell-like harp calls. By one who came in the night, Because you looked at me once it is now dedicated to God. and your soul was in your look Part 1: Fear Not It is now a visible church, I fix my hair and wear perfume. Fear not you the dark. one more light set on a hill Because you admire me walking by We carry you on soft wide wings. In a world confused and dark I saw my slender shadow move. and disturbed by portents of fear. I was born into this world Part 2: Find only Joy And what shall we say of the future? because you loved me. Find only joy in the golden heavens Is one church all we can build? Now you are gone. and the shining earth. Or shall the Visible Church Because you loved me once, go on to conquer the World? I too can sweetly die. Part 3: Seek out Light So beautifully you loved me once. Seek out light and bind it to your own light. Words by T.S. Eliot, from The Rock Fear not you the dark. Words from the original Greek by Maria Polydouri, We carry you on soft wide wings. translated and poeticized by Nils Peterson

Words by Ben Dunwell

- 8 - - 9 - ENGLISH CHAMBER TENEBRAE WILL TODD ORCHESTRA Will Todd has been playing the piano since he was First violins Cellos Sopranos three and composing since he was seven years old. Benjamin Nabbarro Tim Lowe Grace Davidson His output includes works for choir, stage works, John Mills Bozidar Vukotic Joanna Forbes L’Estrange and orchestral works, and his music has been Shana Douglas Dietrich Bethge Alison Hill featured on BBC Radio 2, 3 and 4 and Classic FM, Marcus Barcham-Stevens Alexandra Mackenzie Katy Hill and performed all over the UK, Europe and the USA. Ruth Ehrlich Emilia Hughes Lorraine McAslan Bass Marie Macklin Susan Briscoe Paul Sherman Amy Wood Will’s flagship work is the 2003 jazz mass setting David Johnston Mass in Blue, which has been performed over a Second violins Altos hundred times around the world since its premiere; Magnus Johnston Percusssion Susanna Fairbairn on most occasions with the Will Todd Trio and Will Natalia Bonner Glyn Matthews Martha McLorinan at the piano. The larger Will Todd Ensemble has Helena Nichols Eleanor Minney also recorded Mass in Blue with the Vasari Singers Christopher Bevan Harps for Signum Records. © Andy Holdsworth Kate Robinson Helen Tunstall Tenors Marje Ploemacher Deian Rowlands Jeremy Budd David de Winter His opera The Blackened Man won second prize Public Theater New York; and The Sage Gateshead, Violas General Management Benedict Hymas in the International Verdi Opera Competition and he has collaborated with some of the UK’s Jonathan Barritt Pauline Gilbertson Christoper Watson 2002, and was subsequently staged at the Buxton most high profile directors including Keith Warner, Andrew Williams Charlotte Templeman Festival. Music theatre work The Screams of David Edwards, John Caird and Jonathan Munby. Sophie Renshaw Basses Kitty Genovese has had three productions in the Nancy Johnson Nicholas Ashby US following successful development work both Other choral works include the oratorio Saint Organ Julian Empett there and in the UK, and was produced by Tête Cuthbert, which has been performed many times James Sherlock William Gaunt à Tête Opera in London and Edinburgh in 2010. and recorded by the Hallé Orchestra, and a Simon Grant Will Todd’s theatre works have been staged at cantata to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the Bass on track 12 James Mawson the Millennium Centre (WNO); Linbury Studio Jarrow March – The Burning Road. Will Todd has Gareth Huw Davies Adrian Peacock Reupert Reid Theatre at the Royal Opera House; Buxton Opera also written a large body of smaller-scale choral Reuben Thomas Festival; the New York Music Theater Festival; works including many liturgical and anthem

- 10 - - 11 - settings. Notable examples include Among Angels Cathedral choir with the precision of a chamber and Stay With Me, Lord – both of which were ensemble to create a unique and enchanting commissioned by the Genesis Foundation for The sound, one which is as dazzlingly effective in Sixteen and Harry Christophers, and Before Action, medieval chant as it is in contemporary works. commissioned by the BBC Singers. With every performance exploiting the unique acoustic and atmosphere of each venue in which Recent projects have included a setting of Keats’s they perform with movement and light, often using Ode to a Nightingale for Hertfordshire Chorus; Jazz candlelight as the sole means of illumination, Concerto for Clarinet – a new clarinet concerto the carefully chosen team of singers enable the for Emma Johnson; and a new CD recording – audience to experience the power and intimacy of Evensong in Blue with the Will Todd Trio and the human voice at its very best. the Choir of St Martin in the Fields. 2012 sees a number of exciting premieres – Songs of Peace Formed in 2001, the group was launched to critical for choir and jazz trio (for the Fairhaven Singers); acclaim with a performance of Nigel Short’s own Songs of Love – commissioned by Symphony composition, The Dream of Herod. Since then they Silicon Valley Chorale; and The Call of Wisdom have collaborated with Sir , Karl for the Diamond Jubilee Thanksgiving Service at Jenkins, Pierre Thilloy, Alexander Levine and Joby St Paul’s Cathedral Talbot. Their dedication to the music of today is complemented by a commitment to the music For more information see www.willtodd.com of the past; from medieval chant to Romantic masterworks, they respond to the demands TENEBRAE inherent in whatever they sing with equal passion and musicality. Hailed as “one of the country’s most outstanding vocal ensembles” (Evening Standard), Tenebrae The group has toured all over the world, has established itself as the chamber choir of extensively thoughout Europe, the USA and choice for critics and audiences in the UK and Bermuda, performing in many renowned around the world. Founded and directed by Nigel festivals (BBC Proms, Montreux Choral Festival, Short, the group blends the passion of a large Edinburgh Festival) and tailoring their distinctive

© Eric Richmond - 12 - - 13 - performances to many venues (Royal Albert Hall, ENGLISH CHAMBER King’s College Chapel, Lausanne Cathedral). ORCHESTRA Working with the LSO under Sir , , the Chamber Orchestra Patron: HRH The Prince of Wales Leader: Stephanie Gonley of Europe, the Scottish Ensemble, and the Conductor Emeritus: Sir Colin Davis Endymion ensemble, the choir have proved Principal Conductor: Paul Watkins themselves as adept at larger orchestral works Principal Guest Conductor: Roy Goodman as at the a cappella repertoire for which they are so well known. The English Chamber Orchestra (ECO) is the most recorded chamber orchestra in the world, Recording on the Signum, LSO Live, Warner its discography containing 870 recordings of over Classics, EMI Classics and Decca Records labels 1,500 works by more than 400 composers. These the group has so far released fourteen albums, include the best-selling version of Vivaldi’s Four ranging from Christmas carols to solemn vespers, Seasons with Nigel Kennedy as well as acclaimed with their two most recent releases nominated recordings with Placido Domingo, Luciano in the ‘Choral’ category of the 2012 BBC Music Pavarotti, , , Mstislav Magazine Awards. These revelatory performances Rostropovich, , and have thrilled listeners across the world and many more. ensured their continued position as one of the world’s favourite choirs. The ECO has also performed in more countries than any other orchestra, and played with many Forthcoming projects for Tenebrae include a of the world’s greatest musicians. The American recording of Fauré Requiem with LSO Live, radio network CPRN has selected ECO as one appearances at Mayfield and Sounds New Festival of the world’s greatest ‘living’ orchestras. The in , a concert with the Royal illustrious history of the orchestra features many Philharmonic Orchestra and an appearance at major musical figures. was the the BBC Proms. The choir is also in the process orchestra’s first Patron and a significant musical of planning a tour of the USA in November 2012. influence. The ECO’s long relationship with led to an acclaimed complete cycle of

- 14 - - 15 - Mozart piano concertos as live performances and Further details of all ECO activities can be found recordings, followed later by two further recordings at www.englishchamberorchestra.co.uk. You can of the complete cycle, with and also now become a fan of ECO on Facebook and . Today the Orchestra continues to Twitter (@ECOrchestra) in order to keep up to date have a strong association with renowned artists with the Orchestra’s movements on tour in the UK such as Maxim Vengerov, , Sir and overseas. Colin Davis and Pinchas Zukerman. NIGEL SHORT The ECO played at the first wedding of HRH The Prince of Wales, was the first orchestra to Nigel began his musical life as a chorister at perform a filmed concert from a Royal Palace Solihull Parish Church, going on to study singing (on the occasion of HM Queen Elizabeth The and piano at the Royal College of Music in Queen Mother’s 90th birthday), and was the first London. He was a member of , professional western orchestra to play in Qatar, and Cathedral choirs and The Kazakhstan and the Bahamas. King’s Consort, before going on to concentrate on work as a soloist in Oratorio and Opera. He sang The Orchestra is resident at Grange Park Opera’s many roles in opera productions all over Europe summer festival in Hampshire, UK. It has been and for ENO and Opera North here in the UK. chosen to record many successful film soundtracks (including several scores by John Barry and Dario In 1993, Nigel joined the world-renowned vocal Marianelli’s prizewinning soundtracks for Pride ensemble The King’s Singers. Whilst touring and Prejudice and Atonement) and has taken part the world with them Nigel began to consider in a variety of film and television projects. seriously the possibility of starting up a new choral group which would combine a larger force The ECO is proud of its outreach programme, Close of singers with movement around the performance Encounters, which takes music into communities venue as well as considerations of lighting, and schools around the UK (most recently in ambience, time and space. It would not only mean Canterbury, Bristol and London) and overseas that the singers were more physically involved (including South Africa, Bermuda and Qatar). in the performance but also that the audiences

- 16 - - 17 - could become caught up in the experience. This and a Funeral, Shakespeare in Love, Elizabeth the would be a team that had all the discipline and Golden Age and most recently Sherlock Holmes). precision of a world-class ensemble yet with the dynamic power and range of a large choral group. Since then, Nigel has continued the touring life with Financial assistance gratefully received from the Genesis Foundation. Such a team would be able to use ecclesiastical Tenebrae as they perform in many of the world’s buildings as a performance space, combining his most prestigious music festivals. USA, Bermuda, love of traditional choral repertoire with a more Spain, Switzerland, France, Germany and the UK are “theatrical” style of performing. countries where the group has enjoyed particular success and the list of destinations continues to grow. Producer - Stephen Johns Recording Engineer - Mike Hatch Like many such ideas, the realisation of the dream Editor - Dave Rowell eventually came about through discussions with Nigel has now conducted several of the world’s All works published by Tyalgum Press, except: like-minded musicians, singers and friends, who finest orchestras alongside Tenerae both in concert Tracks 1 & 2 published by Boosey and Hawkes together realised the formation of Tenebrae – a and in recordings, including the London Symphony Tracks 3 & 5 published by Oxford University Press combination of talented composers and arrangers, Orchestra, the Chamber Orchestra of Europe, the Musical assistant - Ralph Woodward pianists and organists, specialists in jazz and Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, the English Chamber Organ Hire - Abinger Organs , instrumentalists and singers. Orchestra and, in Baroque repertoire, the English Cover Image - Shutterstock Concert. He has also made recordings with many Design and Artwork - Woven Design In 2001 Nigel started working with writer Richard of the world’s major record labels, including EMI www.wovendesign.co.uk McDonald in Switzerland to create a work that could Classics, Warner Classics, Decca Records, LSO Live P 2012 The copyright in this recording is owned by Signum Records Ltd. be the vehicle with which to launch Tenebrae. The and the fast-emerging independent label Signum © 2012 The copyright in this CD booklet, notes and design is owned by Signum Records Ltd. result was Nigel’s own composition The Dream Records, with whom Nigel has worked closely on Any unauthorised broadcasting, public performance, copying or re-recording of Signum Compact Discs constitutes an infringement of copyright of Herod, a production that captured not only the many projects right from the start of Tenebrae’s 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 in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any sound of Tenebrae but also incorporated strong existence with Signum’s director Steve Long. means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without prior permission from Signum Records Ltd. visual images, movement and lighting effects in SignumClassics, Signum Records Ltd., Suite 14, 21 Wadsworth Road, Perivale, Middx UB6 7JD, UK. beautiful performance spaces. A CD recording and Nigel is looking forward to recording with the LSO +44 (0) 20 8997 4000 E-mail: [email protected] a DVD of the work were made and the group gave its and Tenebrae in the coming months, performing www.signumrecords.com debut performance and the world premiere of the in concert again with the RPO and also going on piece at St Bartholomew the Great in London (the a major tour of the US with the choir in November. church featured in films such as Four Weddings Nigel is married to the soprano Grace Davidson.

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