British composer and multi-faceted musician Matt Dibble died tragically in 2021 at the age of 40 from complications following the AstraZeneca covid vaccination. His untimely death left a void in the classical, jazz and pop worlds: he was a musician of great breadth, versatility, talent and innovation, and his 24 Preludes & Fugues, released posthumously, are a testament to this, blending neo-Baroque, jazz, easy listening pop, klezmer and folk music, and modernist influences into a deeply personal collection created over six years.
Only a handful of close friends knew of the ‘Preludes and Fugues’, which Matt began in 2015 and composed very privately, completing the set within mere weeks of his passing. Such was his devotion to this project that, when he first went to hospital, he told those with him where the compositions could be found, should anything happen to him. With the secrecy and longevity of the project, and the incredible timing of its completion, the story behind this music is akin to a romantic tragedy.
Regards from Rochester by award-winning British composer Thomas Hewitt Jones was commissioned by Rochester Choral Society to celebrate its 150th anniversary in 2023. The work received its premiere on 18th March 2023 in Rochester Cathedral and was subsequently performed in Wells and Glastonbury respectively in April 2023.
The town of Rochester in Kent is drenched in history. Regards from Rochester celebrates the rich history of the Medway Towns, exploring themes and valuable human stories while relating them to contemporary society. From the first Saxon settlement through to historic stronghold, from pillar of British naval history through to industrial centre and inspiration for Charles Dickens, composer Thomas Hewitt Jones feels that this “postcard from Rochester” celebrates and exudes compassion for our planet, social conscience, humanity and kindness – values that are incredibly important to our world today.
Director of Music, John Mountford, says: “Rochester Choral Society has passed some significant milestones recently, with 2022 marking the 100th anniversary of our first performance in Rochester Cathedral. We wanted to commission a piece which reflected the diversity of this area’s rich and turbulent history, with a historically accurate, humorous and engaging new piece. We wanted to find somebody with a connection and passion for the Medway Towns and who wanted to help raise awareness of the cultural and social heritage of the area.”
Composer Thomas Hewitt Jones, who lives in Rochester, says: “I was delighted when John Mountford approached me to commission this work for Rochester Choral Society’s very exciting 150th anniversary. Quite early on in our discussions, we decided that the richness of Medway’s history was conducive to a new text, so the result is a 10-movement oratorio which we hope tells the story of the area with sweeping melody and angularity where appropriate. I have written it to be as both engaging and as musically interesting as possible.”
John Mountford believes that choral societies are an essential part of national music-making after the COVID era. “Music is central to the lives of so many people; it binds community and enhances wellbeing for singers and audiences alike.
For Thomas Hewitt Jones, writing Regards from Rochester has been an extremely fulfilling and wholesome commission, not only given the richness of local history, but also due to the strength of the musical heritage of Rochester Choral Society dating all the way back to 1873.
“It was a privilege and a pleasure to discover many historic riches of the Medway area, which is often referred to in relation to Charles Dickens, the former Dockyard and as a stronghold to and from London, but in fact contains numerous other riches. Spending extensive time in Rochester library and reading around the history in detail, it became swiftly apparent that the area’s rich social history made up for any perception Medway may have externally of lack of charm; as the text and music were forming, I was delighted to have conversations with local Medway Council operative John Lester, who is an 8th generation of the Lester family in Rochester and who offered personal anecdotes of life in Medway since the Victorian era, some of which I have incorporated into the work.Above and beyond the history books and local connections, in this work I have aimed to reflect throughout the work on the nature of life in 2022, both beyond the recent pandemic (which let’s face it indelibly changed life as we know it) and also in the shadow of contemporary issues that affect our society, not least our collective sense of identity and perhaps most importantly, the current climate change crisis.”
This debut recording of Regards from Rochester features the BBC Singers, the Royal Ballet Sinfonia and Rochester Choral Society, with Harriet Mountford (soprano) and Simon Thorpe (baritone), conducted by John Mountford
Recorded at Henry Wood Hall, London, Regards from Rochester is released by Vivum Music Ltd on all streaming platforms. Physical CDs available from the Rochester Cathedral shop and Rochester Choral Society
For further press information/review copies/interviews, please contact Frances Wilson frances_wilson66@live.com
This new song by award-winning British composer Thomas Hewitt Jones and Gordon Giles, Canon Chancellor of Rochester Cathedral, was written with much love, compassion and optimism for anyone affected by this challenging disease now, or in the future. The lyrics reflect the poignancy of dementia while also reminding us of the importance of love and commitment, faith and togetherness. With wonderful vocals by Freddie Benedict, If One Day is nostalgic in mood, recalling music from the era of Frank Sinatra and Dean Martin.
Thomas Hewitt Jones says, ‘…a major motivator was my Uncle Alan, who had been a brass player in David Munrow’s early music consort and the London Philharmonic Orchestra, and who suffered this disease. During his gradual decline, until the end, he was able to play and sing music.’
Gordon Giles says, ‘There can hardly be anyone now who has not been affected in some way by dementia as a sufferer or as a friend, colleague or relative of someone who lives with it. While we have all had our own personal encounters with dementia, it is a national and global concern about which we should all care. Life is a journey and for some people it is a long journey which sometimes ends with a form of dementia, which might be Alzheimer’s Disease. The song picks up on that to some extent and reminds us that there is a lot of life that takes place before any diagnosis of dementia – much to celebrate – and through it all Faith, Hope and Love remain.If this song can provide comfort or help raise awareness, then Tommy and I will feel we have joined in in a small way with all those who work in research, treatment and care for all affected by this pernicious phenomenon.’
If One Day…. is available on all major streaming platforms. Proceeds from the sale of the single will be donated to UK dementia charities.
Music by Thomas Hewitt Jones, narrated by Stephen Fry
Scottish Session Orchestra, Choristers of St Martin-in-the-Fields, directed by Andrew Earis
An orchestral retelling of the Christmas Story, as told by the Gospel of Luke, narrated by acclaimed actor, broadcaster, comedian, presenter, writer and national treasure Stephen Fry, with the Scottish Session Orchestra and Choristers of St Martin-in-the-Fields, directed by Andrew Earis.
Written as a dramatic retelling of the Nativity, the journey to the manger is depicted through symphonic orchestration, dramatic underscore and soaring melody. The final culmination of the piece is a warm, life-affirming rendition of ‘Silent Night’ with choir and orchestra, during which audiences and congregations are invited to sing along with the melody line. Scored for Narrator, Orchestra and Choir joining for the last movement, it is a rich, multicoloured musical setting of the Christmas story according to Luke’s Gospel.
Composer Thomas Hewitt Jones says, ‘The Christmas Story’ was commissioned in 2019 by Canto Deo choirs and orchestra in Denver, Colorado. I have always been extremely passionate about the excitement of Christmas, and the feeling of rebirth that comes afresh each year. Therefore, when Canto Deo approached me earlier that year with a view to commissioning a through-composed orchestral setting of the beautiful text from Luke’s Gospel (King James version), I was delighted to accept. I through-composed the piece from start to finish, and the result is, I hope, a very warm, emotive, Hollywood-esque depiction of the enchanting Nativity story that has inspired so many generations. When the opportunity came to make this recording with the fantastic Scottish Session Orchestra, I approached national treasure Stephen Fry, with whom I had the pleasure of working during the London 2012 Olympics, and was delighted that he gave the text a customarily poignant reading. The work finishes with a quietly passionate rendition of ‘Silent Night’, sung by the Choral Scholars of St Martin-in-the-Fields, conducted by Andrew Earis.’
The Christmas Story is available now on all major streaming platforms. The orchestral score is published in the UK by Stainer & Bell https://stainer.co.uk/shop/hl454/
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