'Angel Whisper' is a setting of a poem by Jay Ramsay. Jay is a poet Rosemary Duxbury has regularly worked with having set several poems of his to music, including 'Canticle to the Sun' (a symphonic poem for orchestra and tenor voice); 'Songs of the Mysterious' (for soprano, flute, harp and gong); and 'Adam's Song' (voice & piano) used in a short film by Mark French. They have collaborated on concerts at various British venues including St.James, Picadilly, London and Leicester Cathedral.

The setting of 'Angel Whisper' is for unaccompanied choir (SSATB) with a solo soprano. The words are from an improvised poem, from which Rosemary has made 3 sections - a sort of musical triptych.

The work was written as a result of the Kingfisher Chorale and the Central Composers Alliance setting a commission for new choral works and was premiered at the University of Leicester's Fraser Noble Hall in October 2003, and has received several performances since. 'Angel Whisper' is dedicated to the Kingfisher Chorale and its conductor, David Fisher.

The Kingfisher Chorale (conductor David Fisher) performed 'Angel Whisper' at St. Bartholomew’s Church, Quorn, Leicestershire, England in June 2007.

REVIEWS:
Rosemary Duxbury’s lovely setting for the choir shone out….. (we) have premiered many new choral works but hardly one has had the impact on the choir or our audiences as ‘Angel Whisper’…
David Fisher, Choral Director, Kingfisher Chorale

Thank you again for the opportunity to sing your wonderful composition...which must be a firm favourite in our repertoire now. Choir member, Kingfisher Chorale

Your musical composition is so beautiful and unearthly. The Midlands choir lifted it to the heavens for us all. It was delightful to hear one of Jay's (Jay Ramsay) poems set to music and it's total transformation beyond spoken language. L.F., Gloucestershire

Award winning choir The Kingfisher Chorale celebrated the Medical Foundation for the Care of Victims of Torture, with an evening of beautiful chorale music. The concert to raise money for the charity was staged in Braunston church. We had two of the composers present and a very appreciative audience. It’s of particular note that Rosemary Duxbury when introducing her piece 'Angel Whisper' explained the poem that she had set to music and the introduction of the ancient international name for God " Hu" which is sung sonorously under the melody. She herself said she felt the piece was extremely apposite to be premiered in a concert devoted to finding Hope out of Darkness. She is a remarkable young composer and we were thrilled and honoured to be able to perform her piece at such an appropriate event. Concert organiser, Choral concert in aid of The Medical foundation for the Care of Victims of Torture. "Hope out of Darkness."

NEXT PERFORMANCE of ‘ANGEL WHISPER’:


Saturday, November 7th, 2009

Kingfisher Chorale (conductor David Fisher)
Fraser Noble Hall, University of Leicester, England.


The concert will also include music by Andrew Downes, John Rutter, David Fisher, Clement Jewitt, Peter Crump, Catherine Bennett, Robin Hodson, Will Todd and the Berliner Masse by Arvo Part.



SCORE/FURTHER INFO

For further information on ‘Angel Whisper’ or other choral scores, or if you are a conductor or choir member and would like to see a copy of the score please email music@rosemaryduxbury.com


For information regarding the Kingfisher Chorale visit: www.kingfisherchorale.org

Their conductor, David Fisher, is also a composer, specialising in choral music. For more details visit www.composersalliance.com/david_fisher_1.html

The poem 'Angel Whisper' was first published in 'MEDITATIONS on the UNKNOWN GOD' by the University of Salzburg (ISBN 3-7052-0052-6). For more information email: jay@ramsay3892.fsnet.co.uk

© www.rosemaryduxbury.com 2009