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Cecily Beer & the Chamber Orchestra of London, arranged and produced by Thomas Hewitt Jones. Conducted by Rupert Gough

SUSSEX CAROL, SILENT NIGHT, BELL CAROL

Thomas Hewitt Jones says, ‘It was a pleasure to arrange and produce these three new Christmas arrangements for the talented Cecily Beer. To accompany Cecily, I brought in players from the Chamber Orchestra of London with whom I have recorded many media projects, and Rupert Gough conducted the session at the chapel of Royal Holloway, University of London in September 2024. We are delighted that Vivum Music Ltd. is releasing this EP which we hope will showcase Cecily’s beautiful harp playing as well as offering a new take on these famous seasonal tunes.’

Cecily Beer says, ‘This new music from Thomas Hewitt-Jones has been the biggest joy to learn and record. We had both agreed we wanted something that sparkled but with familiar melodies which people know and love. For me, the upbeat tracks, Sussex Carol and Bell Carol, are exactly what I want to be listening to while dancing around my kitchen making Christmas lunch; while the final track, Silent Night, has the perfect balance of joy that comes with this sublime new string arrangement, and nostalgia for a melody we all know and love so well.’

Sussex Carol

A rippling harp introduces the famous Christmas tune with a ‘spinning wheel’ of broken chords with forward motion and delicate emotion. The intensity builds with interplay between harp soloist and strings during thematic development which propels the piece towards a satisfying conclusion.

Silent Night

This slow, reflective setting features a rippling version of the melody in the harp underpinned by warm, expressive strings. As the track unfolds a relaxed calmness expands to a quietly emotional feel as we modulate up a tone, leading us gently yet optimistically forward as we approach Christmas.

Bell Carol

The melody of Bell Carol comes from the song “Shchedryk” written by the Ukrainian composer Mylola Leontovych in 1914. We hope this new arrangement for harp and strings can be enjoyed by a wide audience during this challenging time globally.

Released 10 November on the Vivum Music Label. Available on AppleMusic, Spotify and other streaming platforms

(Image credit: A P Wilding)

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‘Wings of Freedom’ is a large-scale work for symphonic wind band, written by Thomas Hewitt Jones and commissioned by the Central Band of the Royal Air Force. Inspired by the RAF’s four core values – Respect, Integrity, Service and Excellence (RISE) – the piece received its London premiere at Holy Trinity church, Sloane Square, last September, under the direction of Squadron Leader Chris I’Anson.

The band subsequently performed the work in Cambridge and also at Regent Hall in London, where the entire piece was filmed. You can now enjoy it via the RAF Music Service’s YouTube feed:

Read more about the piece here

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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

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Award-winning British composer Thomas Hewitt Jones, who has an unashamed love for Christmas and Christmas music, has released a selection of new music for the festive season – from carols for choirs to a dramatic retelling of the Christmas Story, featuring Stephen Fry. Plus a few “Christmas crackers” to entertain and delight…..

Onward We Go

A tuneful, warm and nostalgic tribute to the Christmas story, scored for the children’s touchingly young voices with piano, electric bass and instrumentalists. Words by Gordon Giles, Canon of Rochester Cathedral. Performed by the children’s choir of St Stephen’s Church, Dulwich, directed by Caroline Lenton-Ward. Sheet music available from Stainer & Bell.

The Christmas Story, narrated by Stephen Fry

A dramatic 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. Score published by Stainer & Bell.

The Christmas Story will be broadcast on ClassicFM at 6.45pm on Christmas Eve.

The Funny Snowman

From the composer who brought us TikTok sensation ‘Funny Song’, comes another catchy, toe-tapping tune. ‘The Funny Snowman’ has a wonderfully nostalgic vibe, with vocals reminiscent of Frank Sinatra, a “tap dance” section worthy of Morecombe and Wise, and memorable, singalong lyrics which are sure to bring Christmas cheer and merriment. Words by Gordon Giles, Canon of Rochester Cathedral, sung by Freddie Benedict.

Christmas Delivery

Thomas Hewitt Jones says, ‘I am traditionally a last-minute present buyer and wrapper, and the couple of days before Christmas in my family have often been appropriately fraught. I wanted to write an unashamedly light-hearted orchestral encore in the same vein as the orchestral pops of composers such as Leroy Anderson – depicting the mad Christmas rush leading up to the 25th each December. If you listen carefully, you can hear Santa in his sleigh in the sky above, dashing through snowy skies, as the warmth of Christmas is evident to the end.‘

Played by the Scottish Session Orchestra

Camel Carol

The three Magi defer to their trusty steeds in Thomas Hewitt Jones’s hilarious Camel Carol – a perfect offering for choirs this Christmas. Scored for SATB voices and organ, Camel Carol is a light-hearted yet theologically serious take on the visit of the Three Wise Men with their precious gifts, from a trio of grumpy yet not unperspicacious dromedaries. Words by Gordon Giles, Canon of Rochester Cathedral. Sheet music available from Stainer & Bell.

A Child’s Christmas

A collection of orchestral music for Christmas by British composers, curated by Philip Lane, ‘the doyen of light music’ (Gramophone), expertly played by the Royal Ballet Sinfonia and the City of Prague Philharmonic Orchestra. Works by Victor Hely-Hutchinson, Gordon Thornett, Adam Saunders, Thomas Hewitt Jones, Roy Moore, Bryan Kelly, John Lanchbery, and Philip Lane. Performed by the Royal Ballet Sinfonia conducted by Barry Wordsworth & Gavin Sutherland and the City of Prague Philharmonic Orchestra, conducted by Julian Bigg

Released by Heritage Records and available on CD and via streaming.

And finally…..

Crazy Frog Does Funny Song

Funny Song has become a viral sensation with over 14 billion streams on TikTok (it also appears in the new ABRSM Grade 2 cello syllabus!). In its latest incarnation, Crazy Frog, who spawned a worldwide hit single in 2003, and numerous spin offs, does Funny Song. The video has enjoyed almost 6 million views to date since it was launched a couple of weeks ago.