2004 news archive
| New Choral CD |
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| A new CD of recently composed choral music by Cecilia McDowall was released on 1 November 2004 on the Dutton Epoch label (CDLX 7146) and features the beautiful Ave maris stella (2001), the Magnificat (2003), the Christmas cantata, Christus natus est (2002) and A Fancy of Folksongs (2003).
The performers are soprano Rachel Nicholls, mezzo soprano Frances Bourne, harpist Sally Pryce, Canterbury Chamber Choir, Parmiter's Senior Singers and Orchestra Nova, conducted by George Vass.
The music was recorded in St Giles Church, Cripplegate, London, on 1/2 May 2004 and the CD is available at £10.00 (including P&P) direct from the composer or from Dutton Labs at £9.99 (plus £1.25 P&P), or from all main retailers.
Information on all choral scores is available from Gemini Publications.
AVE MARIS STELLA 
MAGNIFICAT Magnificat Ecce enim Quia fecit
CHRISTUS NATUS EST Personent Hodie Entre le boeuf Gaudete Infant Holy Angelus
A FANCY OF FOLKSONGS O, no John!
Reviews
'a lovely new setting of Ave maris stella, tender in unaffected simplicity.'
The Spectator
. . . all the works here are both deftly conceived and approachable; they should find a wide audience. Well worth seeking out.
Gramophone
Her music has an air of freshness, brightness and fidelity about it, inspired, well heard and technically well made, and, without a doubt, a pleasure to be in company with.
Music & Vision
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| A Garland for Presteigne |
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| A Garland for Presteigne was released in August 2004 on the Metronome label (MET CD 1065) and features a new song for soprano by Cecilia McDowall, The Buzzard. The twelve new songs, including works by Michael Berkeley, John McCabe and David Matthews, were commissioned by the Presteigne Festival for the first performance at the 2003 Festival and are a glorious celebration of the Welsh borders. The Buzzard, sung by Canadian soprano Gillian Keith, accompanied by Simon Lepper, is a setting of a poem by the distinguished writer and poet, Simon Mundy. The song is a taster for Cecilia McDowall's forthcoming song cycle based on poetry by Simon Mundy, commissioned for performance during the 2005 Presteigne Festival. The CD, price £10, is available direct from The Presteigne Festival.
THE BUZZARD |
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| Hotfoot |
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| London Flutes released their new CD Hotfoot in June 2004, named after one of their signature pieces by Cecilia McDowall. This début CD contains works for both flute quartet and solo flute, including première recordings by Jean Michel Damase, Matthew Wright and Cecilia McDowall. To purchase your copy of the CD please contact URM Audio or email info AT londonflutes DOT com. |
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| St Martin's Magnificat |
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| Cecilia McDowall's choral piece, St Martin's Magnificat (Gemini Publications, 2003), has been released on CD by St Martin-in-the-Fields, and is available directly from the St Martin's shop at Trafalgar Square in London. |
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| The Moon Dances |
| Inspired by the intense imagery of Lorca's poetry, The Moon Dances evokes contrasting aspects of the dance. Scored for flute and piano and commissioned by Susan Milan for performance at Wigmore Hall with pianist Ian Brown, The Moon Dances has been issued by Hunt Edition and is available through Spartan Press.
THE MOON DANCES
Paper sea and silver coins Black with shadow and wolves The red star trembles |
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| The Night Trumpeter |
| The Night Trumpeter for solo trumpet in Bb and piano was issued by Brass Wind Publications in a new series for 2004, and Salon Argentina, a piece for ten brass players, was also made available. The frequently performed Four Piano Solos (Shades of Solace, Vespers in Venice, Pavane and Tapsalteerie) was published in 2002 by Hunt Edition and is available from Spartan Press. |
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