1857 research outputs found
Sort by
Three duets for mezzo-soprano and baritone
Get PDFThese pieces began with the idea of writing a song for two to sing. They form a set and share similar contours and preoccupations. For the texts, I started by reading Keats’s ‘O solitude’ but decided to try writing in my own words about isolation. The poem of the first song (‘O solitude’) was the result and the music followed quickly. Next, I came across Robert Lowry's hymn 'How Can I Keep from Singing' which again led me to write my own text, this time about music and giving voice, becoming the third song, ‘Endless Song’. These two enclose my setting of a poem by the pianist, Alexander Kelly. Alex was Head of Keyboard at the Royal Academy of Music when I was a student there. An enthusiastic supporter, he always took time to talk and to encourage. His poem ‘Hurried Letter’ is about life, and how we live it. The three songs are duets for two voices alone and the piano accompaniment in the final duet is optional.
The first performance was given on 19 July 2020 by Helen Charlston (mezzo-soprano), Michael Craddock (baritone) and Alexander Soares (piano) in a live broadcast from the St Pancras Clock Tower, London.
A recording of these pieces is now available (Delphian Records, DCD34253-CD) see https://www.delphianrecords.com/products/isolation-songbook
Now springes the spray! (three medieval lyrics for soprano and orchestra) (1992, rev. 1997)
No full textFor soprano and orchestra, duration 12 minutes.
This piece sets anonymous 12th and 14th century texts reflecting the fecundity of nature: I) Summer is icumen in; II) Now Springes the Spray!; III) I loved a childe.
This work was originally composed in 1992 and the premiere was given on 9 March 1994 by Angela Henkel (soprano) and the Royal College of Music Symphony Orchestra conducted by Patrick Bailey. It was revised in 1997
Like the sea, like time
No full textFor solo tenor, children's chorus, SATB chorus, and orchestra, duration 35 minutes. This piece sets texts by Walt Whitman, Thomas Hardy, Edgar Allan Poe, Pablo Neruda, Emily Dickinson, and anonymous. The work was commissioned by Henry and Kate Bicket through the HB Bicket Charitable Trust to commemorate Liverpool City of Culture 2008, and it traces the history of Liverpool, one of Britain’s oldest cities and an important port. The premiere was given on 19 January 2008 by John Daszak (tenor), the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra, the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Choir, and Liverpool Philharmonic Youth Choir conducted by Harry Bicket. It was broadcast on BBC Radio 3 on 8 February 2008
Diaghilev dances [version for chamber orchestra]
No full textFor chamber orchestra, duration 15 minutes. A version of this piece for symphonic wind band is also available (see https://researchonline.rcm.ac.uk/id/eprint/1541/)
Infernal ride [version for symphonic wind band]
No full textFor symphonic wind band, duration 7 minutes.
This work has been recorded by the Birmingham Symphonic Winds conducted by Keith Allen (Mark Custom Records: 7221-MCD, see https://www.prestomusic.com/classical/products/8020483--2007-wasbe-killarney-ireland-birmingham-symphonic-winds or https://www.markcustom.com/Markcustom_new/Menu2_ViewAlbum.asp?CDNum=7221-MCD).
It has also been recorded by the University of St. Thomas Wind Ensemble (Innova Recordings #728: https://www.innova.mu/albums/university-st-thomas-ust-symphonic-wind-ensemble/out-nowhere) - this recording is available on YouTube (see the video tab below).
A version of this piece for brass band is also available, see https://researchonline.rcm.ac.uk/id/eprint/1539/
Let all the world in every corner sing [Leighton arr. Hesketh]
No full textBy Kenneth Leighton, arranged by Kenneth Hesketh for chorus and orchestra, duration 3 minutes
Sleep holy babe [traditional arr. Hesketh]
No full textFor SATB chorus and orchestra, or SATB chorus and organ/piano, duration 3 minutes
Sisyphus’ punishment (Die Bestrafung des Sisyphos)
No full textFor string quartet, duration 7 minutes.
This work was commissioned with funding from the Britten-Pears Foundation and was premiered on 17 May 2014 by the Haba Quartet at the Beijing Modern Music Festival, China
God rest ye, merry gentlemen [traditional arr. Hesketh]
No full textArrangement by Kenneth Hesketh of the traditional carol, for SATB chorus and orchestra, duration 3.5 minutes.
This work was premiered on 18 December 2011 by the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra and Chorus conducted by Simon Halsey
Gabriel's message [traditional arr. Hesketh]
No full textFor SATB chorus and orchestra, duration 3.5 minutes