It was actually sublime….Well done, well done….
I really enjoyed the choice of texts and their music, and didnt the choir do you proud! The Carpe Diem and Luly Lulay were my special favourites, but Fi loved your own finale best for its intensity and passion. What really worked well though was the thematic idea of Christmas being much more nowadays than just a nativity play...or just santa claus, so much much more for us all culturally and you somehow managed to capture all that and make it specially our own with the Hurlers, the generational connections and the joy, the joy, the stillness of the cold, the riot within….
I strongly feel that someone needs to make sure you get a proper acknowledgement for composing this lovely work…
My friends were most impressed with Midwinter Cantata. They'd like to hear it again …
I would be delighted for the work to fly the nest and be taken up by others. I don't see why it shouldn't be thoroughly enjoyed by everyone, not just restricted to Cornwall. The work benefits from being of a specific location. I enjoy the poems, yours included, and all aspects of the piece. I would be interested in rehearsing it more before our tour! The colours in the work are quite magical, the melodies of such character the harmonies enticing to the ear. The work has the advantage of not requiring too many instrumentalists in these cash strapped times,whilst being wholly sufficient in the complete sound. It's a very digestible length, and unique. The lullaby should be a Christmas hit….
I wanted to say how much I enjoyed playing in your lovely cantata and that it was a privilege to be involved. Your choir is marvelous (if I ever find time to start singing properly again, I have a definite new first port to try) and I loved the way you led us all through your beautiful landscapes. I slept rather badly last night, unusual for me, for I had a succession of your melodies keeping me awake!
Thank you for writing such a beautiful piece for us. I am glad you think we did it justice.
I just wanted to let you know how much I enjoyed your concert last night - and most especially your cantata which I thought was a wonderful tribute not just to Christmas but to the whole art form of the cantata. The texts were very thought provoking and the music enhanced the words just as it should with so many different colours and rhythms. It was thoroughly enjoyable and deserves to become a real hit at Christmas time.... I know little about the publishing world but I would hope somebody will pick it up - I personally found a great deal more to enjoy in your music than I ever have in the ubiquitous Karl Jenkins! With very best wishes Jonathan (Lewsey)