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Metier

Distant Voices, New Worlds - Songs, Landscapes & Histories

$18.99

Details

Composer
Evelyn Ficarra, Ed Hughes, Matthew Sheeran, Rowland Sutherland, Shirley J. Thompson
Artist
New Music Players, Orchestra of Sound & Light
Format
CD
Label
Metier
Released
Nov 15, 2024
Catalog #
MEX77131
UPC
809730713125

About

This exciting album features world premiere recordings of nine chamber and solo works, profiling the distinctive and diverse voices of five celebrated British composers. The album explores the rich theme of the English landscape and it's cultural history through innovative and evocative music. "Distant Voices, New Worlds" is inspired by the interplay of contemporary and historical perspectives on landscape. At it's heart are four specially commissioned songs from 2022 for soprano and ensemble, forming the South Downs Songbook. This project meditates upon and celebrates the human experience of the South Downs, the chalk hills stretching from Winchester to Eastbourne. The project included extensive educational initiatives and the creation of a resource pack on composing, available through the Orchestra of Sound and Light, the Brighton-based ensemble known for blending traditional and contemporary instruments and incorporating visual art and moving images. The commissioned composers-Shirley J Thompson, Rowland Sutherland, Evelyn Ficarra, and Ed Hughes-each bring a unique perspective to the project. Their works are inspired by walking the South Downs and are set to texts that offer varied views on landscape and history: Shirley Thompson set Phillis Wheatley's "An Hymn to the Evening" (1753-1784), reflecting Wheatley's experiences in England. Rowland Sutherland chose a poem by Charlotte Turner Smith (1749-1806). Ed Hughes adapted words by Marion Robinson (1937), an early contributor to the Mass Observation Archive, influenced by William Blake's visions of the South Downs skies. Evelyn Ficarra set a poem by contemporary Brighton-based poet Valerie Whittington. Complementing these works are five additional compositions recorded by the New Music Players, creating a kaleidoscope of new British music and historical voices. Highlights include: An instrumental elaboration on Thomas Tallis's motet "In ieiunio et fletu" by Ed Hughes. Shirley J Thompson's tribute to Nelson Mandela, "Mighty Mandela," performed by solo flautist Rowland Sutherland. Evelyn Ficarra's solo piano meditation on a haiku, "The Arbitrariness of Language." A trio by Rowland Sutherland for cello, flute, and piano, blending jazz influences and a remix of Tallis's "Lamentations." Matthew Sheeran's "Languet Anima," inspired by fourteenth-century Ars Subtilior music. This project, developed with support from ACE and the South Downs National Park Authority, also received contributions from the Hinrichsen Foundation and Vaughan Williams Trust. It highlights the intersection of contemporary music, landscape, culture, and memory, emphasizing the significance of diverse artistic expression in fostering public awareness and well-being.

Tracklist 10 tracks

  1. 1 In Ieiunio et Fletu 04:30
    Track
    1
    Title
    In Ieiunio et Fletu
    Duration
    04:30
    Composer
    Ed Hughes
    Ensemble
    New Music Players
  2. 2 Sky Rhythms 06:03
    Track
    2
    Title
    Sky Rhythms
    Duration
    06:03
    Composer
    Ed Hughes
    Performer
    Rachel Farago
    Ensemble
    Orchestra of Sound and Light
    Conductor
    Ed Hughes
  3. 3 Mighty Mandela 08:12
    Track
    3
    Title
    Mighty Mandela
    Duration
    08:12
    Composer
    Shirley J. Thompson
    Performer
    Rowland Sutherland
  4. 4 A Hymn to the Evening 04:44
    Track
    4
    Title
    A Hymn to the Evening
    Duration
    04:44
    Composer
    Shirley J. Thompson
    Performer
    Rachel Farago
    Ensemble
    Orchestra of Sound and Light
    Conductor
    Ed Hughes
  5. 5 Languet Anima 03:12
    Track
    5
    Title
    Languet Anima
    Duration
    03:12
    Composer
    Matthew Sheeran
    Ensemble
    New Music Players
  6. 6 The Arbitrariness of Language 05:46
    Track
    6
    Title
    The Arbitrariness of Language
    Duration
    05:46
    Composer
    Evelyn Ficarra
    Performer
    Richard Casey
  7. 7 What Larks 05:50
    Track
    7
    Title
    What Larks
    Duration
    05:50
    Composer
    Evelyn Ficarra
    Performer
    Rachel Farago
    Ensemble
    Orchestra of Sound and Light
    Conductor
    Ed Hughes
  8. 8 Eternal 06:27
    Track
    8
    Title
    Eternal
    Duration
    06:27
    Composer
    Rowland Sutherland
    Ensemble
    New Music Players
  9. 9 Modes from the Downs 08:00
    Track
    9
    Title
    Modes from the Downs
    Duration
    08:00
    Composer
    Rowland Sutherland
    Performer
    Rachel Farago
    Ensemble
    Orchestra of Sound and Light
    Conductor
    Ed Hughes
  10. 10 Dark Angel 25:51
    Track
    10
    Title
    Dark Angel
    Duration
    25:51
    Composer
    Ed Hughes
    Ensemble
    New Music Players
    Conductor
    Andrew Gourlay