During the first half of 2005, Ian Venables took a sabbatical and spent the majority of his time in Boston, USA where he worked on a number of new musical projects. He was also able to forge links with musicians at the New England Conservatoire. The distinguished Boston composer, Daniel Pinkham introduced Venables to Matthew McConnell and Troy Lucia who were studying composition. In May, Venables visited New York, and was fortunate to meet the composer, Ned Rorem. Rorem who is now in his early 80's, is still very active as a composer and writer. His latest book entitled, 'Wings of Friendship' is a selection of his letters from (1944-2003) to some of America's leading artistic figures, including; Leonard Bernstein, Virgil Thompson, Paul Bowles, and Edmund White. On his return to England in June, the composer suffered a serious illness that curtailed his composing for several months. He is now on the road to recovery and is currently completing a cycle of songs for tenor, clarinet and piano. This work will receive its premiere in December of this year at the Holywell Rooms in Oxford. In the summer of 2005, his recent 'Finzi Friends' commission, Songs of Eternity and Sorrow Op. 36 was arranged especially for voice and piano by Graham Lloyd for a performance at the 'Celebrating English Song Series' in Tardebigge, given by the 2005 Cardiff Singer of the World Lieder Prize winner, the tenor Andrew Kennedy and the pianist, Simon Lepper.
2006 will see a number of ongoing musical projects come to fruition. The independent record label SOMM, are due to release two English Song CDs that will include songs by the composer. The first disc, entitled. 'Severn and Somme' is performed by the baritone, Roderick Williams and pianist, Susie Allan. This disc will present a number of previously unrecorded songs by Ivor Gurney, together with songs by Christian Wilson and the late John Sanders. The Venables songs included are; Midnight Lamentation, A Kiss, Flying Crooked and Easter Song. The second CD, entitled, Love's Voice is performed by the tenor, Nathan Vale and pianist Paul Plummer. This disc will feature song cycles by John Ireland, Finzi and Ian Venables' cycle, Love's Voice Op. 22, plus four other songs by the composer. Both of these recording will be available in the Autumn. Other concert highlights this year, will include; a performance of the composers large scale choral work, Awake, Awake, the World is Young Op. 34, given by the Worcester Cathedral Choral Society, conducted by Adrian Lucas; a song recital, as part of this year's, 'Autumn in Malvern' music festival given by the tenor Nathan Vale and pianist Paul Plummer; a talk at the Recorded Music Society in Worcester, given by John Brain, that will feature the composer's Piano Quintet Op. 27 and a song recital at St James's Church, Wollaston performed by the tenor, Nathan Vale together with the pianist, Michael Jones and clarinettist, Anthony May.
2004 saw the completion and first performance of the composer's song cycle, Songs of Eternity and Sorrow Op. 36. This commissioned work by the 'Finzi Friends' was premiered at the triennial 'Weekend of English Song' held in Ludlow on Friday 4th June. It was performed by Andrew Kennedy (tenor), Simon Lepper (piano) and the Tippett string quartet (see reviews). Before the concert Ian Venables discussed his new work in an open forum with Lyndon Jenkins.
On the 4th April 2004, Lady Bliss, the widow of Sir Arthur Bliss celebrated her 100th birthday. By way of a personal tribute, Ian Venables composed a special song - a setting of John Clare's poem, 'Love Lives Beyond'. This was privately recorded by the soprano Susan Black and pianist Graham Lloyd and was presented to Lady Bliss, at her home on Sunday 15th August. (see Bliss Society Newsletter Vol. 2, no. 4). See the Bliss Society website for more information.
One of the highlights of 2004 was the Three Choirs Festival song recital in Gloucester, given by Roderick Williams and Iain Burnside. This concert included two of the composer's most engaging and popular songs, A Kiss Op. 15 and Flying Crooked Op. 28. In his review for the BMS Newsletter, Lewis Foreman said, 'The two songs by Ian Venables were timeless, the dancing butterfly of the second delightfully caught, reminding us that good songs are still being written and need to be sung'.
On the 6th of November the composer travelled to Chester to hear a performance of his anthem, Awake, Awake the World is Young Op. 34 performed by the Chester Bach Singers, together with musicians from Chetham's School of Music, conducted by Martin Bussey. Also in November the Baritone Howard Wong gave the premiere of the song Break, break, break Op. 33 no. 5 at a recital in London.
2005 looks to be yet another busy year for the composer. He is currently at work on a set of songs for Tenor, Clarinet and Piano, which will be his Op. 38. This privately commissioned work will bring together a number of settings in English by non-English poets.
By far the most important news this year is Thames Publishing's decision to publish all of Ian Venables' songs and chamber music. This exciting collaboration will begin with a volume of songs for high voice and will continue over the next few years with the publication of his other major works. For more information see Music Sales.
Another highlight of 2005 will undoubtedly be the composer's sabbatical in the USA. For two months he will be living in Boston, MA where he will work with musician's from the New England Conservatory and the Boston University School of Music. In connection with this Ian Venables has been awarded a travel grant by the PRS foundation and Bliss Trust.
To mark the composer's 50th birthday, there will be a concert of his music at the Countess of Huntingdon's Hall, Worcester on Saturday 9th July and a concert in San Francisco to coincide with composer's actual birthday on July 25th.
During the summer, Celebrating English Song at Tardebigge, (see below for further details) will also include his recent 'Finzi Friends' commission, in a special arrangement for Tenor and Piano by Graham Lloyd.
At the end of last year the composer completed a commission by the 'Finzi Friends' of a cycle of songs to poems by A. E. Housman. The work, entitled Songs of Eternity and Sorrow Op. 36 will be premiered at this year's 'Weekend of English Song' in Ludlow on Friday 4th June performed by the tenor Andrew Kennedy with the Tippett String Quartet and pianist Simon Lepper (see the performances page for further details). Before the concert there will be an opportunity to hear the composer discuss the background to this new work in an open forum with Lyndon Jenkins.
Other highlights this year will include a performance of the composer's orchestration of two Ivor Gurney songs 'Severn Meadows' and 'Even such is Time'. These will form part of an English Orchestral Song concert on the 22nd May, given by Pershore Choral Society and conducted by Andrew Wilson. The songs will be premiered alongside two other Gurney songs orchestrated by Herbert Howells. On the 7th May there will be a performance of the composer's String Quartet Op. 32 given by one of the country's leading chamber groups, Chamber Domaine. This concert at the Hollywell Rooms in Oxford will also feature the first performance of a number of songs arranged especially by the composer and sung by the soprano Helen Meyerhoff.
On the 4th April, Lady Bliss, the widow of Sir Arthur Bliss will celebrate her 100th birthday. By way of a special tribute the composer has composed a special song - a setting of a poem by John Clare and chosen by Lady Bliss. The work will be presented to her on her birthday and performed shortly afterwards.
Ian Venables is currently working on a number of projects, and this year will see the completion of private commission for a cycle of songs and a commission of a work to open the newly restored organ at Malvern Priory in November. This year will also see a new CD recording of the composer's complete piano works performed by Graham Lloyd.