Archive for James Whitbourn

Oxford University Press Announces Signing of Composer James Whitbourn

Posted by Divine Art Recordings Group on
 15 July, 2019

Exciting news from Oxford University Press for composer James Whitbourn! We’re looking forward to releasing a new collection of his pieces on an upcoming recording, “The Seven Heavens” and what we think is one of the most exquisite group of choral masterpieces of recent years! From Oxford University Press:

We are delighted to announce that James Whitbourn has signed a long-term publishing agreement with Oxford University Press.

James Whitbourn was described by The Observer as “A truly original communicator in modern British choral music.” He is a GRAMMY-nominated composer, who after graduating from Magdalen College, Oxford, started his career in broadcasting, composing many works for the BBC. His works are admired for their direct connection with performers and audiences, and through his imaginative treatment of voices and instruments he manages to “expand the experience of classical music beyond the edges of the traditional map of classical styles” (NPR).

James Whitbourn says: “I am honoured to be joining such a vibrant publishing house, known and respected across the world and based in a place I love. I’m thrilled to be working with OUP’s exceptional team on a range of exciting projects coming up in the years ahead.”

Ben Selby, OUP’s Director of Music Publishing, comments: “We’re thrilled to have James joining our illustrious list of Oxford composers. His writing brings an original and distinctive voice to our catalogue and a breadth of style and interests which is recognized at the highest level. We are greatly looking forward to working with him.

See the full announcement on Oxford University Press

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James Whitbourn Portrait

The Seven Heavens: New James Whitbourn Choral Album from Divine Art

Posted by Divine Art Recordings Group on
 9 April, 2019
James Whitbourn Portrait

British composer James Whitbourn is the subject of a forthcoming album performed by Cor Cantiamo to be released by Divine Art later this year.

Stephen Sutton, CEO of Divine Art Recordings Group, remarks that even though he has worked with some of the most acclaimed choral composers of today such as Morten Lauridsen, he is highly impressed with the works of Whitbourn, and finds them “absolutely stunning in their depth and exquisite construction.”

Cor Cantiamo is the choir-in-residence at Northern Illinois University, and is directed by Eric A. Johnson.  They are one of the finest choirs in the USA;  their previous Divine Art album made in conjunction with SDG Music Foundation was titled ‘Psallite’ and featured  new works based on psalms by many leading composers (Divine Art DDA 25133)

The new album, to be titled ‘The Seven Heavens’ is likely to appear around October (date to be confirmed).

The title work, The Seven Heavens, was commissioned by Cor Cantiamo and is a musical biography of C.S. Lewis in seven movements for choir and seven solo instruments.  Like most of the other works on the album this is its world premiere recording. The composer is providing the program notes for this release.

James Whitbourn is a conductor and educator as well as an inspired composer – “a truly original communicator in modern British choral music” (The Observer).  The most recent disc of his music (Annelies – Naxos) was Grammy-nominated and of this, Choir and Organ wrote: “Whitbourn’s devastatingly beautiful and restrained treatment of the subject matter makes it all the more poignant”. 

Currently, James is Senior Research Fellow at St. Stephen’s House, Oxford and a member of the Faculty of Music in the University of Oxford.

The Seven Heavens (DDA 25192)

Works:

The Seven Heavens
Movements: Moon, Mars, Mercury, Jupiter, Venus, Saturn, Sun (choir and 7 solo instruments)
Ada (choir, violin & harp)
Video Caelos Apertos (Choir a capella)
The Voices Stilled (Agnus Dei)  (choir, chamber ensemble)
Eternal Rest (choir, chamber ensemble)
Gratias Agimus Tibi (choir a capella)
Canticle of Mary (choir, viola & organ)
Canticle of Simeon (choir, viola & organ)

Performed by Cor Cantiamo, directed by Eric A Johnson
And chamber ensemble

Recorded on May 26-29, 2017 at the Boutell Memorial Concert Hall, Dekalb, Illinois, USA

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