The Hours: Choral Music By Ben Parry

This recording made by the Royal Holloway Choir celebrates the music of Ben Parry. Parry sets the words of poems by Garth Bardsley, who says of Ben's work, "all of my poems stand alone but given the Parry treatment, I know that they take flight."

"It is well documented that certain poets over the past hundred years or so have not necessarily welcomed or appreciated their words being set to music by eager composers looking for inspiring texts; I am not one of their number. Writing poetry which is specifically meant to be set to music can be a challenge, however, knowing that Ben Parry is to be the composer makes that challenge a joy. We always start with the words and the subject matter chosen usually suggests to me the poetic style, structure and possible use of meter. As a musician and singer myself, I write with specific rhythmic sequences in mind and always have an ear open to vowels and vocabulary that are 'singable'. On occasion, I also think about musical structure and thereby form the poetic narrative to create musical movements. It is important to me that all of my poems can stand on their own, sans music, but it is when Ben takes over that I believe real magic happens. Ben has an extraordinary sensitivity to the nuance of language.

His sound world captures exquisitely the atmosphere of my poems and the infinite variety of ways in which he employs imaginative voicings, accompaniments, musical and rhythmic ideas brilliantly bring to life the narratives and subtexts of each and every verse. Whatever the forces available (solo voices, a cappella choir, organ, piano or chamber orchestra accompaniment) Ben composes in technicoloured detail and always with a delicious lightness of touch. As I said, I

like to think that all of my poems can stand alone but given the Parry treatment, I know that they take flight." - Garth Bardsley