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- Cheryl Frances-Hoad
Beowulf (2010)
- Cadenza Music (World)
Beowulf was commissioned jointly by the BBC and the Royal Philharmonic Society as part of BBC Radio 3's New Generation Artists Scheme. It was premiered on the 11th of July at St. Lawrence Jewry as part of the 2012 City of London Festival by Jennifer Johnston and Alisdair Hogarth.
Programme Note
Commissioned by BBC Radio 3's New Generation Artist Scheme. Premiered by Jennifer Johnston and Alisdair Hogarth during the City of London Festival at St. Lawrence Jury on 11th July 2011.
In my setting of excerpts from Beowulf I wanted to convey the heroism and grandeur of the tale and of Beowulf himself. The work was very much inspired by seeing the poem spoken live several years ago, and I wanted to retain the drama and immediacy of the words in my setting which is at time quite sparse and monolithic. I thought of this song cycle more like an opera for two musicians, and wanted the narrative to be very clear (even though large chunks of the tale have had to be left out).
© Cheryl Frances-Hoad, 2010
In my setting of excerpts from Beowulf I wanted to convey the heroism and grandeur of the tale and of Beowulf himself. The work was very much inspired by seeing the poem spoken live several years ago, and I wanted to retain the drama and immediacy of the words in my setting which is at time quite sparse and monolithic. I thought of this song cycle more like an opera for two musicians, and wanted the narrative to be very clear (even though large chunks of the tale have had to be left out).
© Cheryl Frances-Hoad, 2010
Media
Reviews
“…the vocal line has an epic quality, as if drama and expression are pared down to the bare bones. There is a frightening intensity in sections such as ‘Then his rage’: the rhythmic and melodic hairs are all on edge…This composition makes one long for a full-scale operatic work from Frances-Hoad."
1st August 2015
Discography
You Promised Me Everything
- LabelChamps Hill Records
- Catalogue NumberCHRCD057
- EnsembleGonville and Caius College Choir
- SoloistRebecca Knight, cello; Joseph Middleton, piano; Jennifer Johnston, mezzo-soprano
- Released28th July 2014