Description
In Giving Voice to My Music, David Wordsworth’s engrossing interviews take us into the world of twenty-four leading composers of choral music, composers for whom writing for choirs is central to their very existence. Here, they give voice to their inspirations, their passions and the challenges they have faced in working through the pandemic of 2020/21. They reveal how their life experiences have influenced their compositions, how they choose and relate to the texts they set, and how they interact with commissioners, singers and conductors alike. Enhanced by an extensive reference section and a revelatory list of the composers’ own favourite pieces, readers will discover music that has enriched these composers’ lives and encouraged their creativity. Giving Voice to my Music will be relished by singers, composers, conductors and above all audiences, for the new insights it offers into works that are already well-known but also for its introductions to new choral music that deserves to be better known.
Contents
Letter from John Gilhooly
Preface by Sir Andrew Davis
Foreword by David Hill
Introduction by David Wordsworth
Editorial Note
1. Judith Bingham
2. Bob Chilcott
3. Jonathan Dove
4. Ēriks Ešenvalds
5. Cheryl Frances-Hoad
6. Howard Goodall
7. Adolphus Hailstork
8. Gabriel Jackson
9. Sir Karl Jenkins
10. Libby Larsen
11. Morten Lauridsen
12. Paweł Łukaszewski
13. Cecilia McDowall
14. Sir James MacMillan
15. Jaakko Mäntyjärvi
16. Paul Mealor
17. Tarik O’Regan
18. Roxanna Panufnik
19. John Rutter
20. Howard Skempton
21. Will Todd
22. Errolyn Wallen
23. Judith Weir
24. Eric Whitacre
Composers’ Favourites
Reference Section
Acknowledgements
About the Author
David Wordsworth has worked as a teacher, pianist, publisher, writer on music and a promoter of choral and contemporary music and of composers. He has been Musical Director of the London-based Addison Singers for over twenty years and has conducted a wide range of choral groups in many parts of the world.
Reviews
Not often does a professional book engage the reader while providing valuable insights to the music of a composer in their own words. Giving Voice to My Music is both of those, and well worth the time of conductors who share this music with our audiences.
Gregory M. Pysh – Choral Journal
Such an interesting book revealing the thoughts of each composer. It was a privilege to be asked to write the Foreword.
David Hill – The Bach Choir
So very impressive in all ways and a major contribution to the choral world.
Morten Lauridsen, Composer
This is a fascinating set of interviews with well-known choral composers. David Wordsworth extracts great insights from all the participants.
Will Todd, Composer
