Gary Higginson has spent a life writing music for a wide range of formations, ages and abilities. Much of his work explores two great loves: nature and English literature, especially Shakespeare. Accordingly, this release presents a sequence of songs, instrumental works and a substantial cantata. This is music that is always communicative, characterful and accessible. He was born in West Bromwich which, although then semi-rural, also forms part of the industrial Black Country. His first musical experience, listening to his father's constant singing at home, led him to joining the local church choir at the age of seven, the next year beginning piano lessons with the choirmaster. The constant presence of the church and it's music has been a strong influence on him ever since and led to singing in an early performance of Britten's War Requiem. His first attempt at composition was made when he was eleven and he has not stopped for more than fifty years.

Tracklist:

2 Pieces, Op. 62: No. 1, Landscape
2 Pieces, Op. 62: No. 2, Sweet Song Of The Summer Woods
Messages Of Hope, Op. 87: I. Entry Into Stanford
Messages Of Hope, Op. 87: II. Homes
Messages Of Hope, Op. 87: III. Visiting
Messages Of Hope, Op. 87: IV. The Railway
Messages Of Hope, Op. 87: V. Death At Scutari
Messages Of Hope, Op. 87: VI. Death In Stanford
Messages Of Hope, Op. 87: VII. Epilogue
3 Ben Jonson Songs, Op. 126b: No. 1, Come My Celia
3 Ben Jonson Songs, Op. 126b: No. 2, Slow, Slow Fresh Fount
3 Ben Jonson Songs, Op. 126b: No. 3, That Women Are But Men's Shadows
Scenes From Shakespeare, Op. 164: I. Bottom's Dream
Scenes From Shakespeare, Op. 164: II. Beatrice And Benedict
Scenes From Shakespeare, Op. 164: III. Battle Of Bosworth
Scenes From Shakespeare, Op. 164: IV. Sir Toby - Sir Andrew
When Most I Wink, Op. 147
Scenes From Shakespeare, Op. 164: V. Prince Hal - Falstaff
Scenes From Shakespeare, Op. 164: VI. Hamlet Meets Ghost
Scenes From Shakespeare, Op. 164: VII. The Statue Awakes
Scenes From Shakespeare, Op. 164: VIII. The Witches' Dance
3 Shakespeare Duets, Op. 167: No. 1, Blow, Blow
3 Shakespeare Duets, Op. 167: No. 2, Lawn As White
3 Shakespeare Duets, Op. 167: No. 3, It Was A Lover
2 Pieces, Op. 62: No. 2, Sweet Song Of The Summer Woods (Reprise With Birdsong)

UPC: 8033776712091
Label: Sheva Collection
Release Date: 11.2.18
Format: CD

Higginson / Auchterlonie / Viale - Scenes & Messages (CD)