The story of Britain's first martyred saint receives a second performance at St Albans Cathedral
At 45 minutes, The Story of St Alban is my longest commissioned work and last night it received an excellent and moving second performance at the home of St Alban himself, the magnificent St Albans Cathedral. The actual story of St Alban is less well known but he was Britain’s first martyred saint. It is somewhat gruesome in places but brilliantly told by lyricist Andy Rashleigh. The work ends with a setting of The Alban Prayer. At that moment during the performance last night, the fabulous medieval wall painting of St Alban and St Amphibalus was lit up, a wonderful moment of bringing together music, visual and aesthetic.
Many thanks to St Albans Choral Society, ensemble Orchestra Nova, school choirs from St Albans High and City Schools, narrator Carl Heap, baritone Michael Burke and conductor George Vass for a memorable evening.
'Landscapes' and 'Shadow cast by the sun' from 'Rhythm of Light', recorded by Hepworth Band and conducted by Ryan Watkins, will be broadcast on Radio 3 Sunday 29 June. 'Rhythm of Light' was commissioned in 2021 to celebrate the life and work of sculptor Barbara Hepworth.
'Landscapes' and 'Shadow cast by the sun' from 'Rhythm of Light', recorded by Hepworth Band and conducted by Ryan Watkins, will be broadcast on Radio 3 Sunday 29 June. 'Rhythm of Light' was commissioned in 2021 to celebrate the life and work of sculptor Barbara Hepworth.
'Beyond the Light', one of two tracks on the Grimethorpe Colliery Band album 'Postcards from Grimethorpe' conducted by Jack Stamp, was broadcast on the new Radio 3 series, Brass Banding with Hannah Peel.
'Beyond the Light', one of two tracks on the Grimethorpe Colliery Band album 'Postcards from Grimethorpe' conducted by Jack Stamp, was broadcast on the new Radio 3 series, Brass Banding with Hannah Peel.
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