ELIN MANAHAN THOMAS

premiered my 'Swansongs' song cycle at the North Wales International music festival, and the CD is now available on Signum records

My song cycle 'Swansongs-Songs of remembrance' was premiered by Welsh soprano Elin Manahan Thomas at the North Wales international music festival. Elin has also recorded the cycle for Signum records with the pianist Daniel Grimwood, and the CD and the scores are available via the links below.

The song cycle started with 'Sleep', written in response to the death of a loved one that affected me very profoundly, and its alternate lyric, 'When Poppies fall' was an apt choice for the premiere just before Remembrance Day. The other songs, 'Father' and 'I Live Again' also have very personal resonance for me.

Although having an enviable reputation within the classical world, Elin came to national attention with her riveting performance of Handel's 'Eternal source of light divine' at the opening ceremony of the Paralympic games in 2012, and she was asked to perform the same piece for the entrance of Meghan Markle at her wedding to Prince Harry. She was delighted to give the premiere performance of 'Swansongs' in her native Wales, along with Welsh pianist Jocelyn Freeman. Elin says of the songs that they are 'beautiful, simple and heartfelt. The words and music match perfectly and they have a timeless and touching quality to them'.

 You can see Elin and Daniel in rehearsal for the recording in a clip from the Classicfm Facebook page here

The CD can be purchased or downloaded here (links to itunes and Spotify):

The scores can be purchased here

I'm seen below with Jocelyn Freeman and Elin Manahan Thomas after their performance