This film is of "True Light", composed by Alexander Campkin, being rehearsed at a workshop on 19th November 2011 for the world premiere performance by the Royal Ballet Sinfonia and the Birmingham Cathedral Choir on 24th November. "True Light" was commissioned by Hamish Pringle for Birmingham Cathedral and is the first ever full orchestral setting of John 1, verses 1-14, the 'Great Reading' using the King James version of the Bible in its 400th year. Key elements of the composition will be performed as parts of the Advent and Christmas services at Birmingham Cathedral. This film was made by Paul Davies and Junction Media.
Birmingham Cathedral announced in 2010 that it is supporting the commissioning of the first ever choral and orchestral setting of John 1, verses 1 to 14, 'The Word' sometimes known as 'the great reading'. Key elements of the composition will be also be incorporated into the cathedral's services celebrating Advent and Christmas 2011, in the 400th anniversary of the King James Bible.
Said Alexander Campkin: 'I'm honoured, excited, and a bit daunted by the challenge that this commission represents, but I'm delighted to have been chosen. I very much look forward to composing a work for Birmingham Cathedral Choir which will be featured on a number of occasions both in concert with full orchestra, and as part of the liturgy over the Christmas period and other important times of the year. I'm constantly on the look out for texts and poems which can inspire music, and I was very grateful to be introduced to John 1. This text contains everything I'm looking for, such as colourful words and phrases, a good structure, and a powerful meaning. I couldn't believe that this had not already been set to music in English in its entirety - what an honour to be the first!'
As well as the version for orchestra, Alexander has been commissioned to arrange the complete work for choir and organ, and for flexible instrumentation to allow for more performance opportunities.
Said the Rt. Revd David Urquhart, Bishop of Birmingham: 'Throughout its history the Church has been one of the great sponsors of art in its many forms and I'm delighted that Birmingham Cathedral will be adding to this glorious legacy through a major piece of choral music. The fact that the commission is to set 'the Word' to music for the first time ever in English presents a huge challenge and a wonderful creative opportunity.'
Said Marcus Huxley, Director of Music: Birmingham Cathedral: 'Our City has a notable history in choral music Ð after all Mendelssohn came to Birmingham to conduct the first performance of his oratorio Elijah, and Elgar's Dream of Gerontius was a Birmingham Triennial festival commission Ð and the Cathedral has been the scene of some great music over the years. So we relish the opportunity to perform these new settings of 'the Word' as part of our Advent and Christmas services and I'm sure our choir and congregation will do them justice.'
Engaging young people is an important element of the project and Campkin will be conducting a children's workshop in Birmingham Cathedral on Saturday 19th of November. The objective is to engage the participants in this new choral work, and to open their ears to the beauty of such great words and music in harmony. The workshop will culminate in a performance of part of the work in front of an audience of parents and friends in the Cathedral.
Said Hamish Pringle, commissioner of the work: 'Each time I hear the reading of John 1, 1-14 I get that tingling feeling on the back of my neck - it is such a mysterious and magnificent set of words. So when I discovered that they had never been set to music I was amazed, then gripped by the possibility that it could be done. It's taken seven years to achieve the dream of commissioning this work and I'm thrilled that Alexander Campkin has taken it on and so grateful to Bishop David and his team at Birmingham Cathedral for their support.'