A voice in the dark

Article Abstract:

Composer Herbert Howells, born in 1892, was holidaying with his wife, son and daughter in Gloucestershire in 1935 when his son Michael was taken ill and died within hours. Howells was devastated by this and, even at the time of his death in 1983, never got over it. He threw himself into work but did not compose until his wife persuaded him to write something in his son's memory. Hymnus Paradisi resulted and was first performed at the 1950 Three Choirs Festival at Gloucester. The work helped him cope with his loss but it echoes through the remainder of his work, including a motet written on the death of John Kennedy in 1963.

Behavior, Composers, Howells, Herbert

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His papers are in order

Article Abstract:

Robert Threlfall has been the coordinator of a project to produce the Delius Collected Edition and it is now available in 33 volumes for 1,920 pounds sterling. It represents the Delius Trust's endeavour to comply with requirements laid out in the will of the composer's wife Jelka who died a year after the composer in 1935. She had stipulated that the producer of a collection of the published works should 'obtain and faithfully observe the advice and opinion of Sir Thomas Beecham.' The was a Beecham edition available to work from, together with the conductor's marked scores.

Publishing industry, Works, Music, Music publishing, Delius, Frederick

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Twentieth century voice

Article Abstract:

It is vital that singers know their work off by heart, thus leaving themselves free to communicate, according to singer and teacher Roy Henderson, who will celebrate his 100th birthday on Jul 4, 1999. The singers he particularly admires include Robert Radford, John Coates and Eva Turner. Among conductors, he especially admires Hamilton Harty. He believes that many modern singers concentrate too much on the text and the music, although he admires Bryn Terfel.

United Kingdom, Interview, Singers, Henderson, Roy

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