CD A0424: Lady of the Lake

Lady of the Lake
music by Thomas Hewitt Jones

CD Cover: Lady of the Lake - music of Thomas Hewitt Jones“How refreshing to discover a living composer who dares to write music that possesses both splendid melody and well-crafted conventional harmony ..” MUSO magazine

‘Lady of the Lake’ is Thomas’ second album, following the successful release of ‘Under Milk Wood’ at the end of 2009 “Characterful and beautiful – almost too beautiful” – Classical Music Magazine, February 2010 ****

“…the wonderful new music, composed, orchestrated and partly performed live by Thomas Hewitt Jones.” 5 stars – The Independent [about 'Under Milk Wood']

 

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Track Listing & Audio Samples

Lady of the Lake

1 Oculi Omnium [2'33] - a setting of the grace from Psalm 145 vv 14-15 - sung by Voces8

2 Spirits of the Night — Shades of Grief [6'39] — for solo harp — performed by Eleanor Turner

3 Carnival [3'18] for organ - performed by Thomas Hewitt Jones

4-13 ‘Lady of the Lake’ Ballet Suite for chamber ensemble.
Inspired by the Welsh folk tale The Lady of the Lake of Llyn y Fan Each
as related by John Rhys in his Celtic Folklore, published 1901.

4 Winter Wedding Dance [2'08]
5 The Latlv Appears [3'15]
6 The Lady of the Lake [2'30]
7 Daybreak [2'21]
8 Summer [3’23]
9 The Christening [2'51]
10 The Third Blow [2'00]
11 Doctors [2'02]
12 The Lady Returns [2'56]
13 Finale [6'21]

Two Anthems:
14 Lead me, 0 Lord [2'50] — sung by Voces8 with Thomas Hewitt Jones, piano
15 Drop drop, slow tears [2'41] — sung by Voces8

16 Sonata Cimarella [8’41]
performed by James Turnbull, oboe & Elizabeth Burgess, piano

17 What Child is this? [3'49] — a carol lullaby
sung by Voces8 with Thomas Hewitt Jones, piano

Total time: 60'15

Review

Review of the CD "Lady of the Lake"

In 2003 Thomas Hewitt Jones was BBC Young Composer of the Year. Since then his profile has been low but going by this CD he has been far from unproductive. He has, to our benefit, stuck with composition especially in the fields of concert and commercial music.

After the sugary balance and sincerity of Oculi Omnium from a rather Swingle II-sounding Voces 8 we move to the solo harp and Spirits of the Night - Shades of Grief. It's a work that was written for, edited by and premiered by Eleanor Turner who introduced it on 30 January 2010 in Italy. For those steeped in British music its richly tapestried progress sounds quite like Bax mixed with the bardic associations inextricably bound up with the instrument. Delicacy is a given but so is the finery of drama and beauty. It's a work fully worthy to stand alongside the Grace Williams Hiraeth and William Mathias's Sonata.....

From a review by Rob Barnett

Read the full review at Music Web International

Further Information

AWARD-WINNING BRITISH COMPOSER THOMAS HEWITT JONES LAUNCHES A NEW RECORD LABEL, VIVUM RECORDS, WITH HIS LATEST ALBUM ‘LADY OF THE LAKE’

“How refreshing to discover a living composer who dares to write music that possesses both splendid melody and well-crafted conventional harmony ..” MUSO magazine

‘Lady of the Lake’ is Thomas’ second album, following the successful release of ‘Under Milk Wood’ at the end of 2009 “Characterful and beautiful – almost too beautiful” – Classical Music Magazine, February 2010 ****

“…the wonderful new music, composed, orchestrated and partly performed live by Thomas Hewitt Jones.” 5 stars – The Independent [about 'Under Milk Wood']

This new album is a culmination of Thomas’ recent compositions and features the ballet suite ‘Lady of the Lake’, performed by members of the Chamber Orchestra of London and conducted by the composer. ‘Lady of the Lake’ was originally commissioned by the national Welsh Ballet Company, ‘Ballet Cymru,’ following Thomas’s highly successful previous collaboration with the Company. ‘Lady of the Lake’ toured the UK throughout 2010 including Lillian Baylis Theatre, Sadlers Wells.

“I’ve never heard a more perfect contemporary classical score – the perfect complement to an innovative ballet…” Review – the Brewhouse Theatre, Taunton, 18 June 2010

The ‘Lady of the Lake’ album also features luscious choral music from Voces8, including Thomas’ new carol, ‘What Child is this?’ (published by Oxford University Press Carols for Choirs 5) as well as a selection of striking and innovative instrumental music, ‘Spirits of the Night – Shades of Grief’ played by acclaimed harpist Eleanor Turner and ‘Sonata Cimarella’ performed by talented young oboist James Turnbull. As a special addition, Thomas plays his own organ composition, ‘Carnival’, (published by Novello ‘Little Organ Book’)

Thomas Hewitt Jones’s music speaks with an emotional directness, is mainstream whilst remaining fresh and inspired, manipulating harmonic centres in often quirky and unpredictable ways. ‘Lady of the Lake’ is an interesting, characterful and moving listening experience.

Apart from being a successful ballet, instrumental and vocal composer, Thomas is currently scoring the music to the 2012 Olympics Mascots films, the latest instalment of which was the recent animation ‘Adventures on a Rainbow’ (performed by the National Youth Orchestra of Great Britain and conducted by Thomas).

‘Lady of the Lake’ and other music by Thomas Hewitt Jones’ (VR37603 Barcode 885767613744)

Album Information

Title: Lady of the Lake
Music by: Thomas hewitt Jones
Performers

The Chamber Orchestra of London
conducted Thomas Hewitt Jones

Voces8
James Turnbull - obe
Eleanor Turner - harp
Genre: Classical
Format: CD
Our Ref: A0424
MCPS: VR37603
Label: Vivum Records
Year: 2011
Origin: UK

Also available

Sheet music available from Creighton's Collection
- click cover for details
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Spirits of the Night
Shades of Grief
     
Score      
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