News
New edition of score to solo harp piece
May 20th, 2021
The score of Michael's harp piece, The Stars Have Withdrawn Their Shining, commissioned by Sioned Williams and premiered in 2001, is now available in a new edition by Creighton's Collection, available at www.creightonscollection.co.uk
The Angry Garden/Silvered Night CD Release
April 21st, 2021
Michael's latest CD, The Angry Garden/Silvered Night is to be released on 4th June 2021. The CD features the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, the City of London Choir, Hilary Davan Wetton (conductor), and Mark Bebbington (piano). You can pre-order a copy here. The Angry Garden will be released in a deluxe vinyl edition in September.
Arts Council Award
January 19th, 2021
Michael is delighted to have just received news of an award from the Arts Council of England as part of their Developing Your Creative Practice programme.. The award is associated with music marketing and the digital age, and will help enormously in appreciating and understanding more modern methods of promotion and income streams, especially now that the effect of streaming is at last being recognised as a major problem for many musicians and creators.
Two Successful Recording Days
October 21st, 2020
The Aquinas Piano Trio and Michael had two excellent recording days in Sherborne this week when they recorded two piano trios of his, and a work for violin and piano, Faulstone Hollow. Michael said 'In some ways this was extremely difficult to make work due to Covid, with so many different parties might having to pull out, even the day before due to either illness or restrictions. But we kept in contact right up to the last minute and managed to make it happen. The result was two days of exceptional playing and dedication by Ruth, Katherine and Martin, and indeed the recording by Mark, the engineer.
September 2020: New Release Underway ...
September 17th, 2020
Amid the chaos of covid-19 preparations are being made for the release of The Angry Garden and Silvered Night. The editing phase is now complete with just the mastering to be done - 'how fortunate to have got that recording day in place in 2019 before Covid changed and affected so many things'.
Details:
THE ANGRY GARDEN - choir, soli, orchestra
SILVERED NIGHT - piano and orchestra
Royal Philharmonic Orchestra (pictured)
City of London Choir
Hilary Davan Wetton
Pianist Mark Bebbington
Recorded at Henry Wood Hall, London. Edits are complete and CD release is expected in 2021.
Dylan Thomas Day
May 14th, 2020
The London Welsh Centre today features the CD of Dylan for baritone and harp, performed and recorded by Roderick Williams and Sioned Williams. This was premiered at the Brangwyn Hall in Swansea and was followed by a performance at the Wigmore Hall two days later.
Click here for London Welsh Centre coverage and film of some of the song cycle.
Piano Trio Recording
May 6th, 2021
With the music industry decimated by Covid-19 it is a pleasure to have positive news. At the time of writing, plans are in place for the recording of two piano trios of Michael's by the formidable Aquinas Piano Trio. Subject to the continual disruption the recording will be made in late October 2020. The trios have a long separation in terms of writing, the first was premiered at the Purcell Room in 1997, the second has been especially written for this recording. A short piece for violin and piano, Faulstone Hollow, will also be recorded.
RPO Recording 1st Edit Update
February 20th, 2020
The first edit of two works recorded in September 2019 by the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra and City of London Choir are scheduled for early Spring. This will run alongside the firming up of release plans which will be announced over the coming months.
Silvered Night - Royal Philharmonic Orchestra and Mark Bebbington (piano)
The Angry Garden - Royal Philharmonic Orchestra and City of London Choir
Both works were conducted by Hilary Davan Wetton.
New Recording Released
February 7th, 2020
A new recording of the flute and piano work The Balancing of Opposites is now available for purchase. Featuring flautist Philippa Davies and pianist Megumi Fujita.
Click here for more information and to purchase. The score is also available.
New Work Available For Purchase
December 1st, 2019
The score of a new piano work, Variations on Papaver Rhoeas, is now available for purchase. A recording of the work made in 2018 by Megumi Fujita is also available.
Angry Garden Soloists Confirmed
September 16th, 2019
We are delighted to be working with Stephanie Corley, Marta Fontanals-Simmons, Ed Lyon and William Berger in the recording of The Angry Garden on September 21st 2019.
Picture credits:
Stephanie Corley: used by permission of Hazard Chase
Marta Fontanals-Simmons: Victoria Cadisch
Ed Lyon: Gerard Collett
William Berger: used by permission of William Berger
Mark Bebbington: Piano Soloist for Silvered Night
August 30th, 2019
International concert pianist Mark Bebbington has been confirmed as the soloist for a recording of Michael's new work Silvered Night which is to be recorded with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra and City of London Choir this September 21st.
See Mark's website here - www.markbebbington.co.uk
Image used by permission from Catherine Gosney
Hilary Davan Wetton Confirmed As Conductor Of Two New Works
August 15th, 2019
September's recording of The Angry Garden and Silvered Night will feature Hilary Davan Wetton as conductor. Hilary has led a distinguished career as a choral conductor and we are looking forward to his involvement with this project.