Always on
This project successfully funded on 13th July 2026, you can still support them with a donation.
Songs of Heaven and Earth: debut release
Manchester, Greater Manchester, United Kingdom
First target reached!
You can help this project to raise more and reach its stretch target.
Aim
This summer I'll be recording my debut release with Dylan Perez - works for voice and piano by Vivier, Messiaen and Saariaho!
I have hoped for a number of years that Olivier Messiaen's Chants de terre et de ciel (Songs of Heaven and Earth) would be front and centre of the first recording project I did; they have been my musical and vocal home for almost a decade now, having first coached them with my late mentor Jane Manning whilst at the Guildhall. I also knew that Dylan Perez was the person I wanted to record them with, having worked on them together for a recital at Britten Pears Arts a few years ago.
Last year, we decided it was time to set the ball rolling on making this project a reality. Dylan and I approached the label Metier with a proposal, they agreed to work with us, and then the hunt began for the perfect works to pair with this epic Messiaen song cycle.
There was an overwhelming amount of choice, but eventually we settled on two composers who seemed natural successors to Messiaen - and two works that, like the Chants de terre et de ciel, flicker between shimmering light and the darkest moments of the soul: Claude Vivier's Hymnen an die Nacht, and Kaija Saariaho's Leino Songs.
We cannot wait to record them this summer in Manchester, and would be so grateful for any support you are able to give to get us over the finishing line with our fundraising. Donations big or small will be very gratefully received!
Anyone who donates £15 or over will receive a complimentary copy of the disc after its release in autumn 2027. Think of your donation as a pre-order, if you will...!
Funding method
Keep what you raise – this project will receive all pledges made