All the pieces were written by people between the ages 18 and 20 and who were later to become established composers. In 1842, Peter Cornelius, who was 18 at the time, wrote a number of beautiful choral songs of which The Phoenix Singers will sing two examples. The young American composer, Eric Whitacre, was just 20 years old when he wrote his Three Flower Songs in 1990. Up to that point Whitacre had had very little music training but since has made a huge impact on the world-wide choral scene. The Scottish composer, James MacMillan, was still at school in 1977 when he wrote part of his Missa Brevis for his school choir. Herbert Howells wrote his Mass in the Dorian Mode for Westminster Cathedral choir in 1912 while still 20. These compositions clearly demonstrate young and already accomplished composers acknowledging the traditions and techniques of their forebears while stamping on their music something of their own very individual style.

Saturday 27^th June 2010  7pm at the Tithe Barn, Dunster, Somerset