A book of contemporary choral music to celebrate the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee in 2012 is to be launched at in a special service in Southwark Cathedral, London on 22 November.
Sir Peter Maxwell Davies, Master of the Queen’s Music, has worked on the edition, which contains 44 anthems written in the last ten years – 11 of which have been specially commissioned for the book. Composers including Judith Bingham, James MacMillan, Howard Skempton and John Tavener feature in the collection.
Throughout 2012 the anthems will be sung in cathedrals and churches across the UK and many will be broadcast on Radio 3 and local radio stations.
Sir Peter’s own contribution to the collection, Advent Calendar is based on a poem by the Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams. Speaking about the work, Sir Peter said: ‘The awareness of nature and the way this is transmuted almost alchemically into its own personal Christian conviction, I found this very moving and just had to do something about it in my work.’
The book is to be published by Canterbury Press and can be ordered at www.choirbookforthequeen.org.uk. The service to launch the edition will take place in Southwark Cathedral, London on 22 November on 5.30pm.
Elizabeth Davis