Richard Casey; Rachel Farago; New Music Players; Orchestra of Sound and Light - Distant Voices, New Worlds - Songs, Landscapes and Histories

This exciting album features world premiere recordings of nine chamber and solo works, profiling the distinctive and diverse voices of five celebrated British composers. The album explores the rich theme of the English landscape and its cultural history through innovative and evocative music. Distant Voices, New Worlds is inspired by the interplay of contemporary and historical perspectives on landscape. At its heart are four specially commissioned songs from 2022 for soprano and ensemble, forming the South Downs Songbook. This project meditates upon and celebrates the human experience of the South Downs, the chalk hills stretching from Winchester to Eastbourne. The project included extensive educational initiatives and the creation of a resource pack on composing, available through the Orchestra of Sound and Light, the Brighton-based ensemble known for blending traditional and contemporary instruments and incorporating visual art and moving images. The commissioned composers--Shirley J Thompson, Rowland Sutherland, Evelyn Ficarra, and Ed Hughes--each bring a unique perspective to the project. Their works are inspired by walking the South Downs and are set to texts that offer varied views on landscape and history.