Part iv  Prelude To A Coincidental War

Hayley talks to postgraduate student Hannah Garton about her new piece Octans for bass and piano which is being performed at the lunchtime concert on the 2nd April. Hannah's piece sets the work of Leeds poet Amina Alyal who is published by Stairwell Books. 

To listen to some of Hannah's work, have a listen to her SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/hannahlgarton

Late Music Conversations: York St John Composer Hannah Garton

Hayley talks to Amy-Jayne Milton and Henrietta Hill from Trilogy Ensemble about their cforthcoming evening concert on 4th June.

Late Music Conversations: Trilogy Ensemble

New piece to be performed as part of a celebration of Erik Satie.

Je Mesure Le Son

To celebrate the start of Late Music's 2023/24 season, Hayley chats to Chris Caldwell about a joint 40th anniversary of the Delta Saxophone Quartet and Late Music. Their concert will be part of a big opening weekend over the 6th and 7th October 2023, featuring four fantastic concerts.

Delta's concert celebrates the launch of their brand new Late Music CD and, as Chris discusses, encapsulates the ethos and development of the quartet over the last 40 years.

Late Music In Conversation: Delta At 40

Seven Places Of Stillness

Composed and performed by Ruth Lee | Sir Jack Lyons Concert Hall, York, 22nd May 2019.

Music of the Angels
I: Lucifer II: Gabriel III: Cassiel

The work is comprised of three movements which each tell the story of a theological or mythical angel. The first movement is a depiction of Lucifer, the morning star who fell from the heavens and became synonymous with the Devil. The movement charts the relationship and the expectation between these two beings, God and Lucifer, from the latter’s perspective. It progresses through a chronological narrative of Lucifer’s increasing jealousy. He schemes and manipulates with the hope of becoming greater than God, which ends with his downfall. 
The second movement is inspired by Gabriel, the bringer of good news to Mary; one of the most well-known angels in Christianity. The sound world explores both triumphant joyousness, as well as fragility in the telling of this newborn. Parallels between the relationships of Lucifer and Gabriel with God are suggested through melodies from the first movement reappearing, reworked in a major key. Gabriel is now what Lucifer could never be and the relationship with God is harmonious.
The third movement is a representation of the angel Cassiel, who appears in Jewish and Christian religion and mysticism, also drawing on the mythology surrounding the figure. One of his names is the angel of sadness or tears. His purpose is to shoulder pain – he cannot remove it, but he can soften the load. The opening is as heavy as those feelings can be, and the harmonics as fragile and tentative. The piece expresses recovery from deep loss: gradual but hopeful.

Music Of The Angels For Solo Harp

Consort Music consists of five pieces: Prelude, Toccatina, Chorale, Moto Perpetuo, Monody and Concertino. The collection started life as a re-working of Into the Garden (2009) originally written for the Feinstein Ensemble. Following my increased interest in indeterminacy and, hence, handing performers a bit more responsibility for what is played and how, I decided to dismember many of the earlier pieces so as to make them much looser with respect to coordination, tempo and pulse. Consort Music exists in various versions including as an open score; this performance is the premiere of the complete collection by Trifarious at St Peter's, Notting Hill in 2018.

Trifarious at St John's Notting Hill

Consort Music (2014-17)

Live recording from Late Music - Aspects of Eno II(03.08.19)
Thanks to Lynette Quek and David Power.

Harold Budd Brian Eno Six Pieces From The Plateaux Of Mirror

A piece written for me by Pat during my Huddersfield years (wonderful times). These pieces are all based on songs by The Pixies. This recording was made in the Phipps Hall at the University of Hudderfield (2009?) with technical support from Aaron Cassidy and Scott McLaughlin (what a lucky pianist I am ).

All I'm Sayin' (Pretty Baby) (for Kate Ledger)

David Power was born in London in 1962 but spent most of his childhood in York. His initial interest was rock music but the electronic instrumentals on David Bowie's 'Berlin' albums led him to become interested in other types of music and eventually he went to study composition with Richard Steinitz, Steve Ingham and Roger Marsh.

His Three Chamber Pieces was premiered at the 1986 Huddersfield Contemporary Music Festival and since then his work has been performed throughout the UK and, more recently in Europe and the USA. As well as concert performances, his music has also been used in short film soundtracks and art gallery installations. 

Over the years he has received a number of commissions and had his work broadcast on BBC Radio 3 plus a number of regional stations. In 2009 his Eight Miniatures appeared on the Grimsby St Hughs Festival 2009 Highlights CD. In 2012 his 'Eight Evening Songs' appeared on the acclaimed  the 'Songs Now' CD on the Meridian label

His latest project is Vestiges of Spirituality, a multi-media project with artist Linda Ingham, film-maker Annabel McCourt and composer David Lancaster. Vestiges is designed for installation in churches and is currently undergoing a short, arts council funded tour in the North of England. Form more information about Vestiges and a short film of its launch night, please visit www.vestigesofspirituality.com