Season’s greetings!
I’m writing en route to Fowey in Cornwall, having just spent a week in New York, caught between its biting cold (-8 degrees!) and unmistakably Christmassy glow. It was a great pleasure to be in town with Chanticleer for two concerts and their annual gala. Their performances of Winter’s Garland at St Ignatius Loyola were truly special - beautifully poised and finely nuanced.
For those in search of a Christmas listening feast, Chanticleer’s new album Joy to the World includes the first recording of Winter’s Garland alongside a richly varied programme of seasonal works. The album has received glowing reviews, including being named BBC Music Magazine’s Official Christmas Choice, alongside praise from The New York Times and Gramophone Magazine.
With Tim Keeler, Music Director of Chanticleer, at St. Ignatius Loyola in New York
2025: A Year of Collaboration and Creativity
As the year draws to a close, I’m deeply grateful to everyone who has supported, performed, listened to, and commissioned works in recent times. It continues to be a privilege to collaborate with such generous and inspiring musicians.
The release of A Plastic Theatre in January was a big milestone for me, brought vividly to life by the Liverpool Philharmonic and its Youth Company, Ellie Slorach, Jennifer Johnston, I Fagiolini, VOCES8, The Lyon’s Mouth, and Stile Antico.
Earlier this year, I also attended the premiere of A Psalm for Chichester, commissioned to mark 950 years of the Diocese of Chichester and performed by the Choir of Chichester Cathedral, directed by Charles Harrison, on the 60th anniversary of Bernstein’s Chichester Psalms. I’m delighted that the piece will be recorded next July for my forthcoming album with the Choir of Trinity College Cambridge and Steven Grahl.
Autumn brought two further highlights: hearing the VOX Youth Choir perform A Plastic Theatre at the Sydney Opera House, magnificently conducted by Elizabeth Scott, and spending time in Stockholm with the wonderful Zero8. I’m already looking forward to returning to Sweden in 2026 for their joint performance with Chanticleer on 8 February 2026.
At the Sydney Opera House in September
Coming up in 2026
Looking ahead, 2026 brings two significant new premieres: a five minute folk-song-inspired setting of Emily Dickinson’s ‘Going to Heaven!’ for Tenebrae’s 25th anniversary season, and Threadlands, a 30-minute work written for RIAS Kammerchor and Ensemble Resonanz, with a text co-written with Dubai-based poet Mark Fiddes which will be premiered in Berlin and Hamburg in the spring, and I’ll share dates for the Tenebrae performances as soon as they’re confirmed. If you’re able to join us, it would be a real pleasure to see friends there —- do mark the dates:
Threadlands (Berlin) – Friday 29 May 2026, 20:00 Pierre Boulez Saal, Französische Straße, Berlin (sold out)
Threadlands (Hamburg) – Saturday 30 May 2026, 20:00 Elbphilharmonie, Großer Saal. Tickets available.
Hamburg Elbphilharmonie
Wishing you all a joyful and restful festive season. I look forward to sharing more music with you in 2026!