DESCRIPTION:
I first heard Herbert Howells' music at Evensong in Norwich Cathedral, and I was moved to bits. Regarding this particular work: "From Herbert Howells we get to hear a tender, floated reading of his grief-stricken Requiem. His nine-year-old son died suddenly of polio in 1935, a loss which deeply affected the composer for the rest of his long life. Howells wrote so much of himself into this piece that he kept it from being done in public until about 1980. One guesses it would have been just too overwhelming to hear such music done live in any conceivable venue, so far as the sensitive composer was concerned. The text is a combination of a key phrase from the standard Latin requiem mass (the first sentence only), plus an English version of the antiphon Salvator mundi, plus selected Bible verses" (Dan Fee).

I didn't remember this piece at all well until a friend asked recently whether I had uploaded a version here. I hadn't; now I have, and I thank my friend for reminding me of this affecting work. I shall upload Part II shortly.

I took these photos of: Lincoln Cathedral; Derbyshire Peak District landscapes; and elsewhere there - specifically: Youlgreave; St. Giles Church, Hartington; Beresford Dale; Castleton; and most importantly, a poppy in memory of the Royal Air Force No. 617 Squadron (The Dambusters or Dam Busters) at Derwent Reservoir.

I had intended to post an English Cathedral choir's performance of this contemplative work, but after listening to this impeccable singing and interpretation from Conspirare (based in Austin, Texas) I changed my mind.

I can hear the gasps as I write :)

For more videos and other information about the Peak District please visit Let's Stay Peak District at http://www.peakdistrict-nationalpark.com