2007 news archive

	NEW CHORAL CD OCTOBER 2007
	The Dutton Epoch label released a new choral CD (CDLX 7197) the third in the series, on 26 October, 2007. Works included are the substantial Stabat Mater (2004) which was short-listed for the British Composer Awards in 2005; On Angel's Wing (a setting of a poem by John Clare.) Both works are performed by the City of Canterbury Chamber Choir, Orchestra Nova, conducted by George Vass. Lonely Hearts for equal voice choir, has been re-scored (Orchestra Nova Ensemble) and is performed by the St Catherine Singers, Haberdasher's Askes' Girls School and the South Hampstead High School Singers. The Joyful Company of Singers, conductor Peter Broadbent, perform the a cappella works: Ave Regina, Ave Maria, and Regina Caeli (short-listed for the British Composer Awards in 2005), published by OUP; the Advent carol, Annunciation, and the Vesper Hymn, Deus, qui claro lumine. The music was recorded in St Giles Church, Cripplegate, London, on 2/3March 2007 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. THREE LATIN MOTETS   Ave Regina THREE LATIN MOTETS   Ave Maria THREE LATIN MOTETS   Regina Caeli STABAT MATER   Stabat Mater dolorosa
	Writing for Choirs at Dartington, Summer 2007
Dartington Hall	In week 2 Cecilia directed a course on 'writing for choirs' in conjunction with the acclaimed young professional vocal ensemble, Stile Antico. Together, with a group of talented composers, they explored various styles and choral techniques and used the theme of 'night' as the basic creative impulse. The week culminated in an informal concert of nocturnal compositions given by Stile Antico
	NEW - A Christmas cantata, published by OUP 2007
	In June this year OUP published the Christmas Cantata, Christus Natus Est. It is scored in three versions; for chamber orchestra; for brass quintet, organ and percussion (1 player); for organ/piano. This accessible Christmas cantata presents a sequence of the five carols 'Personent hodie', 'Entre le boeuf', 'Gaudete!', 'Infant holy', and 'Angelus ad Virginem'. McDowall gives the familiar melodies a colourful new harmonic treatment, and the arrangements range in atmosphere from tenderness to joyful exaltation. The Christmas cantata Christus natus est is a hit: an absolute delight from start to finish, scored for children's choir, solo soprano, mixed chorus and small orchestra. International Record Review 2005 But an excellent reason now in early December to rush out and order this CD (CDLX 7146) is the lovely Christmas Cantata, Christus Natus Est, for choir and children's choir, with soprano and a small orchestra. Its five short movements are extremely imaginative arrangements of two Latin carols from Piae Cantiones, the French carol Entre le boeuf, and a traditional Polish carol Infant holy all linked by a series of clever variants on one of McDowall's own carols, Of a rose. This is a piece which, if I were king, would be done in musical schools every year! Patric Stanford Music and Vision Web Review, 2004