Music for Gloucester Cathedral

Available from SOMM Recordings.

SOMM Recordings is delighted to announce the first recordings of church music by Ian King composed for, and performed by, Gloucester Cathedral Choir. 

Led by the Cathedral’s Director of Music, Adrian Partington, with Nia Llewelyn Jones, conductor of the Girls’ Choristers, and Assistant Director of Music Jonathan Hope as organist, the choir presents first recordings of 11 works composed between 2012 and 2020 by Ian King. All were first performed in the imposing surroundings of Gloucester Cathedral, where this recording was made in June 2021. 

Ian King died shortly before the sessions took place but had worked closely with Adrian Partington in planning this recording and was delighted that these choral works were to be committed to disc by the choir for which they were written. 

The programme includes the Magnificat and Nunc dimittis commissioned for the Gloucester Three Choirs Festival in 2016, a setting of the St. John Passion, specifically designed for liturgical use, and a wonderfully atmospheric realisation of Carol Ann Duffy’s poem, The Christmas Truce. 

Adrian Partington commented: “I believe that in time Ian King will be recognized as a significant composer of Anglican Church Music. It has been a privilege for me to conduct all these wonderful works; I am delighted that the Gloucester Cathedral Choir has made their premiere recordings. These, and the rest of Ian’s choral output, deserve to be widely known and performed. I hope our recording will bring them to the attention of other conductors and choirs.”

 

Branching Out - CD Album
  • Branching Out - CD Album

Branching Out - CD Album

In cart Not available Out of stock
Free

"A fabulous album by a group of musicians who quite obviously know their craft inside out" - John Phillpott, The Living Tradition

"Carefully constructed, well worth its place in any folk collection, and a thorough enjoyment throughout” - Tim Carroll, FolkWords

14 tracks including many of Ian's original compositions along with his striking

"A fabulous album by a group of musicians who quite obviously know their craft inside out" - John Phillpott, The Living Tradition

"Carefully constructed, well worth its place in any folk collection, and a thorough enjoyment throughout” - Tim Carroll, FolkWords

14 tracks including many of Ian's original compositions along with his striking arrangements of traditional tunes from the Scottish, Irish and English traditions. Featuring guest singer Colette Todd, former solo vocalist in world tours of 'Riverdance' and 'Lord of the Dance'.

Tracklist:

  1. Country Rounds
  2. Winter's Frozen Droplets with Scarborough Fair
  3. Some Folks
  4. The Dark Island
  5. Balkan Dance
  6. Portencross
  7. Tree of Life
  8. Cooley's Reel
  9. Paddy McCarthy
  10. The Dark Traveller
  11. Pastime with Good Company
  12. Kate Dalrymple / Bag of Praties
  13. Grace
  14. Kerry Polka / Terry Teahan's

Kings & Folk are: Ian King - piano, Claire King - fiddle, Helen Izod - whistle/flute/vocals, David King - djembe drum

Guests on the album: James King - percussion, Colette Todd - vocals, David Cowell - guitar

Read more…
A Worcestershire Song Cycle - CD Album
  • A Worcestershire Song Cycle - CD Album

A Worcestershire Song Cycle - CD Album

In cart Not available Out of stock
Free

Music by Ian C King, words by Chris Jaeger MBE. Commissioned for the Three Choirs Festival in Worcester, August 2011.

Includes 7 songs and 2 instrumentals for tenor, soprano, 3 violins and 2 pianos. This is a classical work with a strong folk influence, the first time such a combination of genres had been commissioned by the Three Choirs Festival.

Music by Ian C King, words by Chris Jaeger MBE. Commissioned for the Three Choirs Festival in Worcester, August 2011.

Includes 7 songs and 2 instrumentals for tenor, soprano, 3 violins and 2 pianos. This is a classical work with a strong folk influence, the first time such a combination of genres had been commissioned by the Three Choirs Festival.

The album includes four ‘English Folk Tune Settings’ - two striking arrangements of 'Scarborough Fair’ - one upbeat and bold, the other slow and emotive; a minimalist version of ‘English Country Garden / Shepherd's Hey’ and Ian's original ‘Country Rounds.’

Performers: Wilhelm Theunissen - tenor, Hannah Atherton - soprano, Claire Worboys - soprano, Shulah Oliver - violin, Claire King - violin, Theresa Mountain - violin, Amanda Bilson - violin, Ian King - pianos

Five of the songs in ‘A Worcestershire Song Cycle’ are radically revised versions of tunes on Ian's first CD ‘from Root to Sky’ – if you know the earlier CD you may find it interesting to hear how these pieces were adapted to express the mood of Chris Jaeger’s words. Four of the instrumentals are also on both albums with new titles to reflect the Worcestershire theme. It is recommended to buy one CD or the other.

Read more…
from Root to Sky - CD Album
  • from Root to Sky - CD Album

from Root to Sky - CD Album

In cart Not available Out of stock
Free

‘From Root to Sky’ is Ian's first CD. It is a collection of 14 tracks for violin, piano and voice, including Ian's original music as well as innovative arrangements of traditional tunes from England and Scotland. It also features 2 songs performed by Colette Todd, former soloist in 'Riverdance' and 'Lord of the Dance'.

Performers: Ian King - piano,

‘From Root to Sky’ is Ian's first CD. It is a collection of 14 tracks for violin, piano and voice, including Ian's original music as well as innovative arrangements of traditional tunes from England and Scotland. It also features 2 songs performed by Colette Todd, former soloist in 'Riverdance' and 'Lord of the Dance'.

Performers: Ian King - piano, Claire King - violin, Theresa Mountain - violin/viola, Amanda Bilson - violin, Colette Lewis-Todd - vocals

Recording, engineering and artwork by Scott Lannie at The Music Chamber - www.musicchamber.co.uk

Five of the songs/instrumentals in ‘from Root to Sky’ were radically revised for the CD 'A Worcestershire Song Cycle' – you may find it interesting to hear how these pieces were adapted to express the mood of Chris Jaeger’s words. Four of the instrumentals are also on both CDs with new titles to reflect the Worcestershire theme of the Song Cycle.

It is recommended to buy one CD or the other.

Read more…
DIGITAL DOWNLOADS