Friday 9th November 2012
WORLD PREMIERE RECORDING OF OLYMPIC-INSPIRED CHORAL WORK GOES ON SALE
"Combines wit with excitement”- James Eggleston, Boosey & Hawkes
”The sustained standing ovation at the World Premiere was testament to the great significance and appeal of this work.” -
Churchill Music!
Today sees the general release of the world première recording of new Olympic-inspired choral work ‘The Same Flame’ on the Vivum Records label
‘The Same Flame’ is an accessible, five-movement song cycle for mixed choirs. Inspired by Pierre de Coubertin’s ideals
of Olympism which gave rise to the modern Olympic and Paralympic values: Respect, Excellence, Friendship, Courage,
Equality, Determination and Inspiration.
Commissioned by the rural music charity, Churchill Music!, this is a score that appeals to a wide range of tastes and
abilities, encouraging communities to come together and celebrate Olympic values together through the medium of
song.
The music for The Same Flame was composed by former BBC Young Composer
winner Thomas Hewitt Jones, with words by poet and lyricist, Matt Harvey; this
recording is conducted by renowned choral director David Ogden.
Featured on the disc are six choirs, representing a diverse range of community voices:
Bristol's acclaimed Exultate Singers with soloist, Alice Harper, North Somerset's
chamber choir, The Trinity Singers; Churchill Academy Chamber Choir and Churchill,
Sandford and Wrington Primary School choirs, accompanied by pianist Christine
Stevenson.
The project has received financial support from the National Lottery through Arts Council England.
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For further information please contact
Michael Priestman, Press Manager
VIVUM RECORDS, London, UK
vivumrecordsuk@gmail.com or +44 (0)20 7727 2063
(ask for Charles Negus-Fancey)
Thomas Hewitt Jones
Award-winning composer of concert and commercial music, Thomas has had a number of his
works performed, broadcast and published. His vocal and instrumental and ballet music, in
particular, is highly acclaimed. His carol ‘Child of the Stable’s Secret Birth’ was premiered by John
Rutter and the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra in 2010 and he has had pieces published by Faber
Music, ABRSM, Novello & Co, Universal Music and Oxford University Press as well as Boosey &
Hawkes. Thomas has worked in Hollywood and he composed, recorded & produced the music for
four 2012 Olympics Mascots animated films, written by Michael Morpurgo & narrated by Stephen
Fry.
“How refreshing to discover a living composer who dares to write music that possesses both
splendid melody and well-crafted conventional harmony - and avoids being considered twee,
populist or crossover" [ Muso Magazine]
"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 ballet 'Under Milk Wood']
Matt Harvey
Poet, broadcaster, enemy of all that’s difficult and upsetting, Matt’s way with words has taken him
from Totnes to the Wimbledon Tennis Championships via Saturday Live, the Science Museum and
the Edinburgh Festival. He is host of Wondermentalist – BBC Radio 4’s comedy infused, musically
enhanced, interactive poetry cabaret – and author of The Hole in the Sum of my Parts (Poetry
Trust), Where Earwigs Dare (Green Books) and, for kids, Shopping With Dad (Barefoot). He is
married, with one wife. They have two sons.
“Very funny…” [Independent] “a fine comic poet…not only funny but tender and true” [Guardian]
“Worthy of the West End” [Cheddar Valley Gazette]
Churchill Music!
Churchill Music! is a lively music charity based in North Somerset UK, which has a well-deserved
reputation for innovation and excellence in providing concerts and music education.
“Composer, Thomas Hewitt Jones and poet and lyricist, Matt Harvey rose to the occasion! Choral
director, David Ogden had no doubts about taking up the challenge. Pianist, Christine Stephenson
saw the score and asked if any self respecting pianist could possibly turn it down? The six choirs
were keen to take part. The National Lottery through the Arts Council England had awarded a
grant. The flame was lit. Such is the success that Boosey and Hawkes have published it and choirs
both in the UK and America are already eager to sing it keeping that flame alight!”
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9/11/2011 AWARD-WINNING BRITISH COMPOSER THOMAS HEWITT JONES LAUNCHES A NEW RECORD LABEL, VIVUM RECORDS, WITH HIS LATEST ALBUM 'LADY OF THE LAKE'
‘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 Welsh national ballet company, ‘Ballet Cmyru,’ following Thomas’s two highly successful previous collaborations with the Company. ‘Lady of the Lake’ toured the UK throughout 2010 including at the Lilian 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 & Co in the ‘Little Organ Book’)
Thomas Hewitt Jones’s music speaks with an emotional directness and 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.
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)
AVAILABLE FROM ALL GOOD RECORD STORES + ONLINE
Listen to a snippet on YouTube here
Join the official Facebook group at facebook.com/thomashewittjonesmusic
Press enquiries please email mail@negusfancey.com