Students debut musical work as part of WWI centenary commemoration
Students debut musical work as part of WWI centenary commemoration
17/03/2014
Two talented Middlesex University student composers have premiered their new work as part of a concert to mark the centenary of the First World War.
Two talented Middlesex University student composers have premiered their new work as part of a concert to mark the centenary of the First World War.
The concert, held within the historic setting of St Mary’s Church in Hendon, was designed as a powerful tribute and reflection of a time of great uncertainty and sorrow.
Before a packed audience, Middlesex music and performing arts students captured the emotion of the First World War through recitations and musical pieces based on the works of some of Britain’s most famous war poets.
In a world premiere performance, Middlesex student composer David Loxley-Blount joined the Middlesex Singers’ Ensemble to perform The Blood of Sunset. The piece was inspired by love poems written from France by Roland Leighton - a British soldier who died in after being badly wounded in battle just before Christmas 1915.
Student composer Denis Christov also premiered his new piece Conscious, based on the poem of the same name by Wilfred Owen, which relays the confusion felt by a soldier waking up in hospital after being wounded.
Director of the Middlesex Singers Ensemble and visiting lecturer of voice Mark Oldfield said: ‘Last night was a fantastic opportunity to both showcase the incredible talent of our students and to mark an important milestone.
‘I am very proud of each and every student who contributed to the success of the event and I am delighted the performances were so well received by such a full and engaged audience.
‘It is a pleasure working with such talented musicians, and in particular, I pay tribute to David and Denis for a very successful world premiere of their work.’
The concert also featured Nicholas Chalmers from the Northern Ireland Opera as guest organist.
Money raised on the night will go towards supporting the work of The Royal British Legion and Médecins Sans Frontières.
Students debut musical work as part of WWI centenary commemoration
Two talented Middlesex University student composers have premiered their new work as part of a concert to mark the centenary of the First World War.
The concert, held within the historic setting of St Mary’s Church in Hendon, was designed as a powerful tribute and reflection of a time of great uncertainty and sorrow.
Before a packed audience, Middlesex music and performing arts students captured the emotion of the First World War through recitations and musical pieces based on the works of some of Britain’s most famous war poets.
In a world premiere performance, Middlesex student composer David Loxley-Blount joined the Middlesex Singers’ Ensemble to perform The Blood of Sunset. The piece was inspired by love poems written from France by Roland Leighton - a British soldier who died in after being badly wounded in battle just before Christmas 1915.
Student composer Denis Christov also premiered his new piece Conscious, based on the poem of the same name by Wilfred Owen, which relays the confusion felt by a soldier waking up in hospital after being wounded.
Director of the Middlesex Singers Ensemble and visiting lecturer of voice Mark Oldfield said: ‘Last night was a fantastic opportunity to both showcase the incredible talent of our students and to mark an important milestone.
‘I am very proud of each and every student who contributed to the success of the event and I am delighted the performances were so well received by such a full and engaged audience.
‘It is a pleasure working with such talented musicians, and in particular, I pay tribute to David and Denis for a very successful world premiere of their work.’
The concert also featured Nicholas Chalmers from the Northern Ireland Opera as guest organist.
Money raised on the night will go towards supporting the work of The Royal British Legion and Médecins Sans Frontières.