Celebrating 10 years of the NIIOC
Commissioned to mark 10 years of the Northern Irish International Organ Competition (NIIOC), ‘Where the Birds Sing’ was premiered on Monday in two concerts by Richard Gowers at Southwark Cathedral, firstly in his solo recital, followed by the gala recital in the evening. The piece will receive a further performance by Richard at Belfast Cathedral on April 6th.
Southwark Cathedral
Grace-Evangeline Mason with Richard Gowers, and representatives of the NIIOC and CVS after the premiere of ‘Where the Birds Sing’ at Southwark Cathedral.
The commission is also connected to the Commission for Victims and Survivors for Northern Ireland (CVS) with dedication to all those touched by the Northern Ireland troubles, and therefore it was important for the work to have a hopeful and reflective feel in balance with the celebratory nature of the occasion.
Therefore, reflecting on themes of spring, hope, and celebration, ‘Where the Birds Sing’ (2022) for solo organ is inspired by the opening stanza of the poem ‘Spring Quiet’ by Christina Rossetti (1830-1894). To mark the passing of winter darkness, the piece opens with light, ethereal figurations, which expand and build into a fuller, more powerful, celebratory texture. The music then returns to the atmosphere introduced at the outset, with the addition of floating filigree above, representing the arrival of the singing birds of spring.
