Creation Canticles
In mid 2003 I received an email from Adrian Lucas, Choirmaster of the Worcester Choral Society, one of the oldest and most prestigious choirs In England.
He wanted my permission to use the lyrics of my poem, “Creation,” which I had posted on my website, Sharlee.com, in his choral work, Creation Canticles, which was to be performed by the Worcester Choral Society. I granted him permission to use the lyrics.
Several months later Adrian sent me the completed score in a PDF. I stored it away, thinking it was wonderful that the Internet had made it possible for me to publish my work, and for him to find and put it to use in such a beautiful way.
You can read the lyrics of the poem on my website. Be sure to watch the flash version of it too, created for me by Lorri Lee Arnason. The link is on the poem’s page.
http://sharlee.com/poemcreation.htm
The Creation Canticles was performed in 2004, and received wonderful reviews.
Here are a couple of them:
West Midlands Network - Making Music
Regional Bulletin May 2004
www.makingmusic.org.uk/westmidlands
Adrian Lucas took over the WORCESTER FESTIVAL CHORAL SOCIETY in 1996 and last year, following in the footsteps of both David Willcocks and Christopher Robinson, he became conductor of the CITY OF BIRMINGHAM CHOIR also.
He has been increasingly drawn to composition in recent years and, although his Creation Canticles is his largest work to date, he has written a number of smaller scale pieces, including a 25 minute carol sequence, Noel, for upper voices, harp and organ. He will be writing a Te Deum for the opening service next year’s Three Choirs Festival.
The texts for Creation Canticles are taken from the contemporary American poet, Sharlee Plett, John Dryden, A.E. Russell, Edmond Holmes and the final number is from St Francis of Assisi’s Canticle of the Sun.
In the programme note Adrian Lucas comments that the work aims to be a set of reflections on the wonders of creation, rather than a chronological portrayal of events, and its direct choral writing, colourful orchestration and sense of mystery left a big impression with the listener. Surely here is a work that should be taken up by other choral societies.
From the Worcester Choral Society’s Website
http://www.worcesterfestivalchoralsociety.org.uk/
The Worcester Festival Choral Society is the leading promoter of major concerts in Worcester. As well as being one of the oldest, it is one of most highly-regarded choirs in the country and has a singing membership of about 200. It presents about three major prestigious concerts each year, highlights in the Worcestershire Music and Arts scene.
The Society commissioned a major choral work from Adrian Lucas, Creation Canticles, which was given it’s highly successful premiere in 2004.