Three Blake pieces to be played by the Russian pianist Evgenia Startseva - notable for her performances partnering Maxim Vengerov.

Premiere recordings took place September 24-26 2012 of some of Howard's works for woodwind with the Orchestra of The Academy of Saint Martin in the Fields. Clarinet Concerto perf. by Andrew Marriner with revisions previously unincorporated; Bassoon Concerto perf. by Gustavo Nunez (principal Concertgebouw Amsterdam); Flute Concerto perf. by Jaime Martin; Serenade for Wind Octet perf. by soloists from the orchestra. Conductor Sir Neville Marriner.  Music producer Andrew Keener, location sound engineering Erdo Groot and Roger de Schot from Polyhymnia, supervising producer Job Maarse for Pentatone.  Editing Baarn Netherlands December 2012, release scheduled for May/June 2013

Howard attended a magnificent performance of 'La Mer' given at the Royal Festival Hall on 11th December 2011 with Vladimir Ashkenazy conducting The Philharmonia in an all French orchestral programme. Meeting after the concert the Maestro confirmed his desire to record an album of Howard's piano music and this is scheduled between March and June 2013. The repertoire will include two works for two pianos in which he will be joined by his son Vovka and a selection of solo pieces to be performed by Vladimir himself. Release by Decca is anticipated.

Recordings are scheduled for an album of Howard Blake's works for cello and piano to be released on Genuin

A concert of Howard's music for cello and piano with EBU prizewinner Benedict Kloeckner

An event as part of Howard Blake's 75th birthday Dusseldorf festival  11.00

The recital will include Howard Blake's 'Diversions' for cello and piano and the first performance of 'Prelude for Benedict' for solo cello, created for the occasion by the composer who will be in attendance

A programme of Howard Blake's music on his 75th birthday

The Birmingham Repertory Theatre stage and produce the full-evening two-act ballet of 'The Snowman' in association with Sadler's Wells with whom they jointly present it, breaking records in London's West End by running for 15 consecutive Christmas seasons.'The Snowman' is choreographed by Robert North, directed by Bill Alexander, designed by Ruari Murchison with music and lyrics by Howard Blake.

The Konzerthaus programme began with Igor Stravinsky's Concerto in D for strings and continued with Haydn's cello concerto, also in D. After the interval the first performance of 'Diversions for solo cello and string orchestra' was played by Benedict Kloeckner and conducted by Jordi Bernacer. The audience gave it a boisterous and lengthy ovation which culminated in an encore for which the two cellists in the orchestra joined Benedict in Howard's 3-cello piece 'Archangel's Lullaby'. The programme ended with a fine reading of Haydn's 'Farewell' symphony.

Howard Blake originally wrote 'Diversions' as a work for cello and piano in 1973, but in 1984 he was introduced to the great cellist Maurice Gendron who persuaded him to revise it into a concerto for cello and orchestra. Howard worked with him, first in his home in Grez-sur-Loing and later at the Ravel Festival in St. Jean de Luz, adding a new cadenza and finale. He completed the full orchestration in February 1985. Gendron had hoped to premiere it for the BBC at the Brighton Festival but was unable to do so due to ill-health from which he eventually died. In 1989 a premiere of the work was given by Steven Isserlis and the Royal Philharmonic conducted by Sir Charles Groves. In 1991 the work was recorded by Robert Cohen for Sony with the composer conducting The Philharmonia. The Strad commented: 'The dearth of repertoire for the solo cello should encourage more composers to write for the instrument. 'Diversions' is a welcome newcomer which could become an old friend. The eight movements all have an individual character, made more convincing by economic scoring in which each theme or effect is clearly defined. It is a bright, colourful, tuneful piece with tremendous rhythmic drive.' The form is a suite in eight sections: Prelude, Scherzo, March, Waltz, Aria, Serenade, Sarabande and Cadenza, Finale. In 2010 cellist and mentor Martin Rummel introduced the piano/cello version of the piece to Benedict Kloeckner as an interesting work with which to enter the EBU Young Musicians Prize. Generally players choose two or three contrasted works for such a competition, but since 'Diversions' contained such contrast within the eight movements he decided to perform the entire work and won first prize. Since then he has played it frequently with various pianists, including Howard Blake himself with whom he played it at the International Cello Festival in Kronberg. In July 2013 they are scheduled to record it for SWDR. Just over two years ago the composer heard Benedict and the Berlin Kammerorchester give a superb performance of the Schumann concerto in a new strings-only arrangement and it was this performance that inspired him to rework 'Diversions' for similar forces.

An end of season concert given by Verein Junger Kaufleute anticipating the Berlin event of the following day and with the same programme of Stravinsky, Blake and Haydn

Programme of string trios by Mozart, Beethoven, Sibelius and Blake

Howard Blake was invited to Hollywood in the summer of 1979 to score an epic 3-hour version of the tragedy of the 'Titanic'. It was shown once in full on ABC television nationwide, programming from 9-12pm, but then savagely cut down for further commercial TV showings and cinema release. The score was never released as an album but in the centenary year of 2012 there was a surge of interest in the film that some people think is the most accurate account of the story and contains the most dramatic and appropriate music. Released 26th March 2013.

Jay Cox, US critic of FILMUS-L : 'I disliked Horner's work on TITANIC, enjoyed Barry's RAISE THE TITANIC, marvelled at Alwyn's economic yet apt score to a A NIGHT TO REMEMBER, however it is Blake's magnificent music (on S.O.S. TITANIC) that perhaps sums up the mood of imposing doom and despair that I feel is the greatest of all Titanic scores.'

2013 is the year of Benjamin Britten's centenary and The Passion of Mary will be coupled with performances of his 'Spring Symphony' and 'Young Person's Guide to the orchestra.'

The 2-piano Sonata and Dances for Two Pianos will feature in a concert by Vladimir Ashkenazy and his son Vovka in Lugano on 9th March as well as a performance of the Piano Trio alongside Shostakovich's Trio opus 67 and a two-piano arrangement of Moussorgsky's 'Una notte sul Monte Calvo' made by Vovka Ashkenazy

Leopold Mozart "Musikalische Schlittenfahrt"
Howard Blake Der Schneemann

To celebrate the 70th anniversary of the release of the biggest-selling Christmas song of all time - Bing Crosby's White Christmas - ITV1 is producing a prime-time special about classic Christmas songs - and Howard Blake is invited to be part of it.
ITV are delighted to announce that Walking In The Air has made their final shortlist, and would love to interview Howard about memories of writing the song, as well as what it means to have  written a favourite that is so fondly remembered and revisited every Christmas.

Salisbury Music Society will give performances of Bach's 'Magnificat' and Blakes's major dramatic oratorio 'Benedictus'

The Snowman Stage Show (a ballet in 2 acts) will open a three-week season at The Edinburgh Festival Theatre on December 12th

Sadler's Wells Theatre 2012-13 Season

28 November-6 January, The Birmingham Repertory Theatre production of The Snowman, Peacock Theatre

A 15th year for the traditional Christmas family entertainment based on Raymond Briggs' picture-book and the animated film, the two-act ballet is about a boy who builds a snowman which comes to life.  Featuring Howard Blake’s music and the hit song "Walking In the Air", performed by dance company and live orchestra, choreographed by Robert North and directed by Bill Alexander.

The Lady Dione Digby has invited Howard as one of many guests attending the farewell concert of Dorset Summer Music, which she has directed with remarkable insight, vigour and dedication over an astonishing 50 years. In 1998 she decided to stage a performance of Howard's dramatic oratorio 'Benedictus' in Sherborne Abbey with the Bournemouth Sinfonietta and Winchester Cathedral Choir and it was the success of this concert which resulted in the commission of a 'Stabat Mater', later revised and expanded into 'The Passion of Mary'. Many distinguished artists have performed at The Lady Digby's festival over these amazing 50 years and among pianists are featured the names of Alfred Brendel, Tamas Vasary and Andras Schiff - invited to give the final celebratory concert.

Between 1973 and 1979 Howard collaborated with film animator Richard Williams on various projects (perhaps must famously by arranging the credit sequences for 'The Pink Panther Strikes Again). In 1973 he wrote a script treatment for Dick called 'Tintack the Cobbler' which became the basis of a hugely ambitious feature project. It was never to be finally realised but a film has now been made in 2012 about this seventies happening and Howard appears in it and talks about his role in it.

'Kevin Schreck's documentary, Persistence of Vision, about Richard Williams and the making of his ill-fated epic animated feature, has been met with great success so far.  The film just had its world premiere at the Vancouver International Film Festival this past week.  The film played to sold-out audiences and universal appreciation, with Variety calling it a "fascinating slice of film history," the Globe and Mail calling it "gripping," and the Georgia Straight declaring the film, "outstanding… a mindblower… [a film] you shouldn't miss."  Forthcoming festivals include the Starz Denver Film Festival and DOC NYC, which is New York's leading documentary film festival. Also, the film will have its European premiere at the Leeds International Film Festival on Wednesday, November 14th, at 6:00 PM (18:00).'

KUSC use the opening of the piano quartet as a signature theme. They are currently considering a 5-hour programme to present a cross-section of Howard's music.

The program includes: Howard Blake: The Song of St. Francis (Canticle of Brother Sun), Antonio Vivaldi: Gloria, Giovanni Battista Martini: Salve Regina (men), Guillaume Du Fay: Alma Redemptoris Mater and R. Remondi: O Sacrum Convivium (O Sacred banquet).

Ronald Corp conducted the New London Orchestra and The London Chorus in the second London performance of 'The Passion of Mary' at St Alban's the Martyr, Holborn on 15th March at 7.00 with two of the soloists featured on the memorable Naxos recording issued in 2010: the soprano Patricia Rozario, and the tenor Richard Edgar Wilson. The role of Prophet and Satan was taken by bass Samuel Evans and the concert included a performance of Bach's Magnificat.

The programme will include works for piano by Bach, Brahms, Schumann, Chopin, Rachmaninov etc. and in memory of his teacher Howard will give the first UK performance of  "Speech after long silence" commissioned for the Hong-Kong International Piano Competition in 2011 and a concert piano version of "Walking in the Air" .

The Snowman Stage Show is planning to run its third season in South Korea in Spring 2012. The creation of the complete new Korean production by impresario Jae Och Chong  resulted from the succesful 3-week run in the Seoul Opera House in March-April 2009. Howard flew over to rehearse the musicians and oversee the first night.  A huge ovation greeted it and went on for so long that finally Howard was dragged up from his seat and persuaded to dance with the 'Korean Snow-woman' (a new character in traditional Korean costume and a special Korean musical 'signature' - both added specially for this splendid occasion.) The 2010 season was staged with all-Korean cast and musicians at the Hoam Art Hall in Seoul. Current plans suggest that the 2012 season will return to the splendid Seoul Opera House. (tbc)

Kloeckner and Gallardo play 'Diversions' again - Howard's virtuosic work for cello and piano that qualified them as finalists in the EBU youth music prize 2010 and led to the winning of the first prize. The programme couples the work with a Brahms sonata.

Boxing Day 8.00am Ch.4 TV: A showing of the original animated film of The Bear

Snowmen will be a regular sight in London's West End for the next decade.  Not the result of climate change, but thanks to a new 10-year deal to stage the critically-acclaimed live version of the much-loved children’s classic, THE SNOWMAN, at the Peacock Theatre. The Snowman has been staged every Christmas at the Peacock Theatre in London’s West End for the last twelve years, having started life at Birmingham Repertory Theatre in 1993. This new deal means the show will continue to delight audiences at the Peacock Theatre for many Christmases to come.  THE SNOWMAN first appeared as a beautifully illustrated picture book by Raymond Briggs in 1978. It subsequently inspired the classic Oscar Nominated, BAFTA Award winning animated film produced by John Coates and directed by Dianne Jackson, first transmitted by Channel 4 on Christmas Eve, 1982. The film’s signature song Walking In The Air, by Howard Blake, reached number 3 in the UK charts when sung by choirboy Aled Jones in 1985, and the song was voted number 2 in a poll conducted by Classic FM to find out children’s favourite pieces of classical music, beating Prokofiev’s Peter and the Wolf and Tchaikovsky’s Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy.

 In 2011 THE SNOWMAN will tour to: 

The Lowry, Salford (22 – 26 Nov),

Tampere Opera House, Finland (8 – 11 Dec)

International Conference Centre (ICC)Birmingham (16 – 31 Dec).

The City of Hong Kong Chamber Orchestra will be giving 3 all-Howard Blake concerts before Christmas conducted by Colin Touchin with narrators Jacqueline Gourley and Henry Coombs. Programme will be The Snowman and The Bear, both with projected film 2.30 and 5.00 on 10.12.11 at Hong Kong City Hall Concert Hall 2.30 on 11.12.11 at Tsuen Wan Town Hall Auditorium

Rockingham Choral Society Christmas concert feature the American premiere of Four Songs of the Nativity by Howard Blake, which combines ancient texts with 21st century music. New Hampshire, USA

This year's run of the Snowman Stage Show is scheduled to open at Sadler's Wells Peacock Theatre in London's West End on December 1st and is scheduled to run till January 9th, about 66 performances. This will be its fourteenth successive Christmas season.

Howard Blake contributed a special arrangement for voice and organ of the treble solo from his oratorio 'The Passion of Mary' (issued by Naxos in 2010) as a contribution to an all-night vigil held in Westminster Abbey on October 21/22

The Edinburgh Quartet celebrated its 50th anniversary by commissioning a quartet with the title 'Spieltrieb' ("the urge to play"), given its first performance in the Queen’s Hall, Edinburgh on February 19th 2010 and since recorded on Naxos along with four other new works. On Monday 17th October they will be playing on BBC Radio 3's 'In Tune' programme.

Programme • Howard Blake: Serenade for Wind Octet | • Beethoven: Octet in E flat, Op 103 | • Mozart: Serenade in E flat (K375) | • Dvořák: Serenade in D minor, Op 44 (B 77) for wind instruments |

A complete concert of works for cello and piano, including 'Pennillion', 'Diversions' and 'Jazz Dances'

Benedict Kloeckner spielt Howard Blake - werke des beruhmten britischen Komponisten fur cello und Klavier

Opening concert of the Young European Music Festival 2010

'Spieltrieb' was played in a special additional 'pre-concert' performance. The main concert at 7.30 was given by the Kelvin Ensemble who also played a work of Howard Blake, the 'Diversions for marimba and orchestra' played magnificently by soloist Heather Corbett.

The premiere of this work commissioned by the quartet to celebrate their 50th anniversary. (In 1960 Howard gave a chamber music recital at the Leith Hall in Edinburgh with violinist Miles Baster who was then asked to form the quartet and become its founder and leader.)

A recording for future broadcast

With the support of the Worshipful Company of Musicians

Acts Two and Three of the ballet by Robert North/Howard Blake performed with full orchestra, solo violin and SATB chorus (20 performances scheduled over 5 seasons)

First performance in Germany

First London concert perfomance of the Violin Sonata

Robert North and Howard Blake created the ambitious 3-act ballet 'Eva' for Gothenburg Opera House, Sweden in 1996. The first act was newly composed music, lasting about 40 minutes for large orchestra and virtually stands on its own with the sub-title 'Birth-rite'; Acts II & III are to be performed in this version for Turkey which features music from Howard's violin concerto, Toccata for orchestra, A month in the country, piano quartet and the oratorio 'Benedictus'. Antalya State Opera and Ballet Orchestra and Choir, conducted by Hakan Kalkan. (The work is scheduled to receive at least 20 performances over 5 seasons

Preview performance

For the occasion Howard created a 'Korean Snowman' in a traditional costume specially designed by Rory Murchison and Howard specially arranged a Korean musical 'signature' for the new character. Plans for futher performances in different theatres in Korea are being scheduled through to December 2010

Russian premiere

Concert including 'The Snowman' concert work. 3 perfs 5th Dec 7.30, 6th Dec 3.00 & 7.30

Featuring the song 'Walking in the Air' and the full 90-minute hit score by Howard Blake played by a live orchestra. 'An essential part of London's Christmas calendar. A captivating mix of dance, stagecraft and music.' TIME OUT

Following their success in Bath last Christmas at the Theatre Royal, The Bath Philharmonia are performing Howard Blake's 'The Bear' and 'The Snowman' as a 2008 winter tour. The narrator will be Russell Boulter and the conductor will again be Jason Thornton: Friday 28th Nov, Octagon Theatre, Yeovil; Sunday 30th Nov. Hall for Cornwall, Truro; Sunday 21st Dec. Colston Hall, Bristol; Monday 22nd Dec. Town Hall, Cheltenham. A popular feature of the event last year was the presence of the composer who at the end of the concert talked about his works and answered questions, which he will be doing this year again for the Bristol concert.

As part of an all-Howard Blake festival birthday programme including Symphony in one movement, The Duellists, The Riddle of the Sands, Heartbeat, Suite from Flash Gordon, The Bear (new German translation) etc

The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra have scheduled a major concert of Howard Blake's music as part of their Cadogan Hall Season to celebrate his 70th birthday on October 28th 2008. The programme will be conducted by the composer and include the concert version of 'The Snowman' for treble (Robert William Blake), narrator (Nigel Havers) and orchestra, The Piano Concerto (originally commissioned for the 30th birthday of Princess Diana) played by William Chen, the brilliant Shanghai-based pianist who so memorably recorded Howard Blake's monumental work 'Lifecycle', and the London premiere of 'The Passion of Mary', a major new work for soloists, choir and orchestra, featuring soprano Patricia Rozario, tenor Martyn Hill, Swedish bass Lars Avidson and the chamber choir of London Voices, directed by Terry Edwards. Booking from 1st May www.cadoganhall.com 020 7730 4500

The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra are presenting a concert of Howard Blake's music on Tuesday October 28th 2008 at 7.30pm at The Cadogan Hall, London to celebrate his 70th birthday. It will include the concert version of ‘The Snowman’ narrated by Bernard Cribbins with ‘Walking in the Air’ sung by Robert William Blake.

The Piano Concerto will be played by the brilliant Shanghai-based pianist William Chen and the London premiere of the dramatic oratorio ‘The Passion of Mary’ will feature soprano Patricia Rozario, tenor Martyn Hill, Swedish bass Lars Avidson and the choir of London Voices, directed by Terry Edwards. The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra will be conducted by the composer.

Box office 020 7730 4500 www.cadoganhall.com  

THE SNOWMAN (Concert version for solo treble, narrator and orchestra, opus 323, 1983)
Music, lyrics and narration by Howard Blake based on the book by Raymond Briggs.
Narrator Bernard Cribbins Solo treble Robert William Blake.
Composer’s note: The theme of ‘Walking in the air’ entered my mind as long ago as 1970 whilst walking on a Cornish beach.  I thought it might be the opening of a symphony but abandoned it. Eleven years later I happened to walk into a film production company and see a nine-minute  pencil sketch based on Raymond Briggs’  picture-book ‘The Snowman’. I felt instantly that this was where the theme belonged and said: ‘I would love to set this whole story to music. It wouldn’t need any words and I have a song that would work with it like a dream.’ Jeremy Isaacs agreed and the 26-minute animated film was made by Channel 4. While it was being drawn I worked on the lyrics and orchestration, conducting the complete orchestral score in July 1982 with The Sinfonia of London and the superb treble voice of Peter Auty, a treble in  St. Paul’s Cathedral Choir. The film was first shown at Christmas 1982, was nominated for an Oscar and won many prizes. The  CBS Masterworks album was released the following year and its first concert performance took place at The Barbican that  December, since when concert performances of it have sprung up all over the world. In 1985 Aled Jones’s single of it went to number 3 in the hit parade and since 1997 a two-act ballet (The Snowman Stage Show) has run every year at Sadler’s Wells’ Peacock Theatre, becoming the longest-running Christmas show in London. My  son Robert William presently sings in the famous  Stockholm Boys Choir and joins us  for this evening’s performance.

CONCERTO FOR PIANO AND ORCHESTRA (opus 412, 1991)

Concert work in three movements: 1. Tranquillo-Allegro 2. Andante Espressivo 3. Vivace
Soloist: William Chen
The piano concerto was originally commissioned by The Philharmonia to celebrate the 30^th birthday of their patron Diana, then HRH, The Princess of Wales. The soloist in the premiere was the composer in a gala concert at the Royal Festival Hall in 1991. But the soloist on this  occasion will be William Chen, now piano professor at Shanghai Conservatoire. He studied in the Sydney Conservatorium and The Royal Academy in London, meeting Howard Blake in 2002 at a performance of ‘Lifecycle’, his 24 pieces for solo piano. He asked if he could study the pieces with the composer and in 1993 made a marvellous recording of  them for ABC Classics.

Composer’s note: In 1998 I attended a splendid performance of my dramatic oratorio ‘Benedictus’ for solo tenor solo viola, choir and orchestra given in Sherborne Abbey by the Summer Music Society of Dorset.. The Lady Digby as director of the festival asked if I would consider writing a new work on a similar scale - a ‘companion-piece’ - but with the principal protagonist a soprano rather than a tenor. Through discussion an idea began to emerge of a view of the life of Jesus as seen through the eyes of Mary the Mother. It was pointed out to me that the time-honoured ‘Stabat Mater’ poem expresses Mary’s grief at the foot of the cross, but I started to consider broadening the concept to encompass far more than that in a series of linked ‘scenes from the life’ as related in scripture. Unfortunately at this point in my life I was forced to postpone the creation of  such a work indefinitely due to unprovoked and vicious  litigation pursued against me by a music publisher. Greatly to their credit, The Summer Music Society of Dorset nevertheless went boldly ahead and commissioned the work, helped by South-West Arts and the generous assistance of members of the society. The work was not completed for 4 years and first performed in Sherborne Abbey in 2002 to coincide with the 40^th anniversary of the festival. Patricia Rozario sang the soprano solo part of Mary, which had been specially written for her, whilst the other roles were spoken. The Choir of Winchester Cathedral and The Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra were conducted by David Hill and the work received a wonderful standing ovation.

However, having now heard the work I started to feel that it would be further improved if some of the other roles could be sung. David Hill suggested the work might also be effectively extended by adding a final chorus based on the ‘Salve Regina’. In 2006 after various false starts I completed a substantially- rewritten and and completely-sung  version, re-naming it ‘The Passion of Mary’. The first performance of this was given in St.Gorans Church in Stockholm in October 2007 and the concert on October 28^th at the Cadogan Hall will celebrate the first London performance.

Concert of Modern British Music for two pianos (Arnold, McCabe,Blake, Davies, Bennett)

(selected works)

'Windy Nights' only - Music for Youth National Festival

A programme of English music (Vaughan Williams, Ireland, Jenkins) in celebration of Howard Blake's 70th Birthday

5 performances,June 12,11am;june 13 11am and 5pm;June 14;2 and 6pm

The concert also features a performance of THE BEAR for girl sopano, tenor, bass, narrator and orchestra

Children's Day Concert-My world of fairytales

A programme of Howard's music in his great-grandfather's Suffolk chapel - Quay Chapel,Woodbridge, including: Pennillion, Walking in the Air, To Sleep, Dances for Piano Duet, A Toccata of Galuppi's, Faith Alone, Holy Mary,Mother Mild, The Duellists Theme (for flute), Dirge for Fidele, Farewell My Gentle Harp, Winterdream, Make-believe. Directed by Helen Burrows.

First performance of the show at The Lowry 11 January 2008

,

Concert of 'The Snowman'and 'The Bear' with pre-concert talk by Howard Blake with Jason Thornton

21st anniversary of the premiere of the revised version given in the cathedral in 1986. Also Vivaldi's 'Gloria'

Two perfomances at 3.00 and 7.30

Also featuring The Up and Down Man, Pennillion and Pas de Deux from the ballet music of 'The Snowman'

A performance coupled with Carl Orff's 'Carmina Burana'

Recording to be conducted by the composer

A concert of music by Howard Blake, including pieces from 'Lifecycle'

Prelude, Berceuse, Nocturne, Toccatina,Rag

To include 'Cradle Song' for boy & girl trebles and 'The Bear' with projected film and soloists (tbc)

Choreography by Robert North, Direction by Bill Alexander,lighting by Tim Mitchell, based on the Birmingham Rep/Peacock Theatre production

With The Snowman and both with projected film

Also featuring a performance of 'The Bear'

First performance

Programme to include works by Howard Blake (some pieces from 'Lifecycle'), Kosenko, Schumann & Rachmaninov

First complete Australian concert performance, with photography by Morgan Flemming

29-30 June 1-2 July

First performance

Selected pieces from 'Lifecycle' preceding a performance of 'Benedictus'

First performance

First performance

First performance

First recording for Meridian by Richard Hughes,produced by Susanne Stanzeleit

Following the concert the composer and Dame Janet Baker both gave speeches at the Festival Society lunch.

The Asian premiere of 'Lifecycle'. By royal command of HRH The Sultan of Selangor

Performed with both narration and projected DVD of the animated film

A concert with a birthday theme, with works by John Adams, Stravinsky, Handel and Howard Blake

A recital at the house of the Baron & Baroness Botzelaer; Marc Andre Hamelin in the audience.

First performance

An idea for a performance with each piece of the 24 played by a different player, conceived & organised by Alberto Portugheis

Funded by the Millenium Experience Company and relating the work to that of The Venerable Bede as part of a cultural programme for 2000

Millenium concert 2000 in Hove Town Hall including Robert Cohen playing 'Diversions'

A concert to celebrate the Millenium

Programmed with 'Carmina Burana' conducted by Christopher Bell

First performance

Walking in the air

After a song recital by Frederika von Stade the composer was persuaded to give an impromptu performance of the 12 pieces in the main hall lit by candles. The idea was proposed by Ilona von Ronay who afterwards suggested that if HB were to complete the cycle of 24 she would engage him to perform the complete cycle at Schloss Rosenegg as part of her annual music festival there. HB wrote the further 12 as planned, renaming the piece 'Lifecycle' and giving the first performance on August 6th 1996

An all-Howard Blake concert programme, unusually but succesfully combining 'Nursery Rhyme Overture'and 'The Snowman' with 'Benedictus' to a capacity family audience

As part of an all Howard Blake concert

Composer's note: This Hereford performance was given in a version for large orchestra (including 4 percussion) specially orchestrated by Larry Ashmore and published by Faber Music. However the somewhat bombastic result was unsuited to the gentle spirit of Saint Francis and I think for that reason the work was not taken up. In May 2003 I restored it to its original 'Mozartian' orchestration and it was succesfully revived in a splendid performance by Neil Jenkins and the Sussex Chorus

An all-Howard Blake concert programme including the Clarinet Concerto played by Emma Johnson

BBC broadcast 29th October 1991 as 'Symphony in one movement'

An all-Howard Blake programme including 'Diversons for cello & orchestra' played by Stephen Isserlis conducted by the composer (first London performance)

On the Feast of St Benedict

Broadcast on BBC Radio 3, 9 August 1987

World premiere of the final revision of the work

Farewell performance by the PJBE attended by the great Harry Mortimer CBE who suggested the adaptation of the work for the British Brass Band Open and a new name 'Fusions'.

The composer visited Queensland University during September-October 1983 at the instigation of Michael Leighton-Jones, then professor of vocal studies, which gave the composer the opportunity to undertake major revision of both content and orchestration of the work

The work was commissioned by the Ditchling Choral Society with assistance from The Ralph Vaughan Williams Trust, at the suggestion of the Right Reverend Victor Farwell, Abbot of the Benedictine monastery of Worth, as part of the Abbey's celebrations for the 1,500th anniversary of the birth of Saint Benedict of Nursia (480 - 543 AD)

Composer's note: This was the premiere of the work, which was performed along with 'The Mozart Requiem', the tenor role taken by the great Richard Lewis. After the performance the Abbot of Worth, Victor Farwell, said to me jokingly:'How dare you compose a work for the opposition, (meaning The Franciscans). Why don't you write a full-scale oratorio for Benedict whose 1500th birthday it is in 1980? Richard Lewis then said that if I would write one featuring a tenor he would perform it. I said I didn't know anything about Benedict, but the unstoppable Abbot then invited me to come and stay in the monastery and find out. I did so and there started work on 'Benedictus' (q.v.)

As part of an 'all-Howard Blake' concert with Jack Rothstein, Kenneth Essex and Helen Watts.