Choral Composers in Conversation with David Wordsworth
Preface by Sir Andrew Davis, Foreword by David Hill OBE
Published at this year’s Three Choirs Festival in Worcester
In Giving Voice to My Music, David Wordsworth’s engrossing interviews take us into the world of twenty-four leading composers of choral music, composers for whom writing for choirs is central to their very existence.
Here, they give voice to their inspirations, their passions and the challenges they have faced in working through the pandemic of 2020/21. They reveal how their life experiences have influenced their compositions, how they choose and relate to the texts they set, and how they interact with commissioners, singers and conductors alike. Enhanced by an extensive reference section and a revelatory list of the composers’ own favourite pieces, readers will discover music that has enriched these composers’ lives and encouraged their creativity. Giving Voice to my Music will be relished by singers, composers, conductors and above all audiences, for the new insights it offers into works that are already well-known but also for its introductions to new choral music that deserves to be better known.
The 24 choral composers interviewed are:
| Judith Bingham | Cecilia McDowall |
| Bob Chilcott | Sir James MacMillan |
| Jonathan Dove | Jaakko Mäntyjärvi |
| Ēriks Ešenvalds | Paul Mealor |
| Cheryl Frances-Hoad | Tarik O’Regan |
| Howard Goodall | Roxanna Panufnik |
| Adolphus Hailstork | John Rutter |
| Gabriel Jackson | Howard Skempton |
| Sir Karl Jenkins | Will Todd |
| Libby Larsen | Errolyn Wallen |
| Morten Lauridsen | Judith Weir |
| Paweł Łukaszewski | Eric Whitacre |
“Such an interesting book revealing the thoughts of each composer. It was a privilege to be asked to write the foreword.”
David Hill – Musical Director, The Bach Choir
“..so very impressive in all ways and a major contribution to the choral world..”
Morten Lauridsen
“….This is a fascinating series of interviews – David extracts great insights from all the participants…”
Will Todd
“This is a book which offers a wealth of fascinating insights into the art and craft of choral composition. As such. its a very valuable resource from which I’ve learned much”
Music Webb International
“An excellent book ….. – not often does a professional book engage the reader while providing invaluable insights to the music of a composer in their own words. ‘Giving voice…’ manages to do both, and is well worth the time of conductors who share this music with our audiences”
American Choral Directors Association Journal
“Giving voice to my Music’ should be on the shelf of every choral conductor and anyone who is interested in contemporary choral music…”
Choir & Organ