Five Beacons of Light (2025)
(Version for string orchestra)

COMPOSER’S NOTE

My inspiration for Five Beacons of Light came from many places: Bach’s B Minor Mass, sea shanties, French salon music, Japanese traditional modes, rap, Gilbert and Sullivan, big pop ballads — and, above all, the vivid images and scenarios conjured by Di’s riveting libretto.

We had discussed the piece for years, since before the pandemic, so it was thrilling finally to receive the text early in 2025 and to be talked through it by Di. Its many vivid characters, human and natural, immediately sparked ideas, and I loved exploring the full range of voices offered by the combination of young singers and Sonoro.

With a work on this scale, contrast was essential. I planned the relationships between harmonic centres carefully, while seeking variety in tempo, orchestration and texture: from solo voice and piano, through a cappella choral writing, to huge tutti passages with thundering piano chords, pealing bells and some unusual percussion.

Once I grasped the scale of the work, ideas flowed quickly. At times I felt I was composing in real time, even recording myself improvising — singing Di’s text while accompanying myself at the piano — before later dictating the results. My music has been described as “equal parts humour and reverence”, and that feels especially true here. Amid despair, there must always be hope. I hope my admiration for the young voices in this work, and in the wider world, is palpable in the music.

Cheryl Frances-Hoad