Whitehall Choir have launched an EP of new choral music by contemporary writers, including two premiere recordings.
Under the dynamic baton of their Music Director (MD) Joanna Tomlinson, Whitehall Choir have released their EP 'Laugh, Sing, Rejoice!' in June of this year, across digital platforms like Spotify and iTunes. Made up of six tracks, the EP takes you on an emotional journey, from Shakesperian lovers' trysts, to epic psalms, to vibrant Indian tabla sounds. Its mixture of different tempos and styles reflects the choir's intention and dedication to performing music by diverse and underrepresented composers, alongside the traditional and classical greats.
The EP includes Cecilia McDowall's vibrant setting of 'Psalm 65', Welsh composer William Mathias' 'O Clap Your Hands', American composer Emma Lou Diemer's 'Three Madrigals' and Reena Esmail's 'TaReKiTa'. The title comes from 'Psalm 65', and it also marks the premiere recording of this fourteen-minute work, which was commissioned by the London Pro Arte Choir in 2015.
'I'm excited to share these pieces with a wider audience. I'm proud to release the first recording of Cecilia McDowall's powerful setting of 'Psalm 65', as well as vibrant works that deserve to be better known in the UK.' - Joanna Tomlinson, MD of Whitehall Choir
'O Clap Your Hands' is a lesser well-known work by the famous Welsh composer William Mathias, and this is probably the first commercial recording of this piece. Commissioned by the Department of Trade and Industry for the 200th anniversary of the founding of the Board of Trade, it was first performed at a Commemoration Service held in St Margaret's Church Westminster in 1986 by the Whitehall Choir. An exciting and energetic work for choir and organ, and thoroughly deserving to be recorded and heard more widely.
'Three Madrigals' are pieces for choir and piano with jazz-influenced harmonies, inspired by three Shakespeare texts: 'O Mistress Mine' from Twelfth night, 'Take oh take those lips away', from Measure for Measure and 'Sigh no more, ladies' from Much Ado About Nothing. Composed by Emma Lou Diemer, these pieces tells a profound story of love and loss. And last but not least, 'TaReKiTa' is an exciting rhythmical piece influenced by the sound of the Indian tabla, composed by Reena Esmail, who is of Indian heritage and currently based in the USA.
Listen to the EP on Spotify or Apple Music
Find out more about Whitehall Choir on their website and follow them on Facebook, X (Twitter) and YouTube
Buy tickets for Whitehall Choir's Carol Concert on TicketTailor
