"These Magnificat and Nunc Dimittis settings were written in 1994 for Clare College (Cambridge) Chapel Choir under the excellent direction of Tim Brown. Tim's mother was a near neighbour who sang in my Weymouth College Singers, and I gave her a lift each week for many years. When she persuaded Tim to bring his Choir to Dorchester, she requested that my Motet "Sing Bravely" should be in the programme. Tim conducted a wonderful performance of this, and he invited me to write these Evensong canticles. I chose to write in a rich, traditional style that would be easy to listen to.
"Your Presence" was a setting of a love poem by Pablo Neruda, requested by my son-in-law for our daughter Sam. It was sung as they signed the register, in one of the grand rooms of Kingston Maurward House that we had booked for the day. The carol "I Sing of a Maiden" was written in 1979, one of five new carols. A barely noticeable (and somewhat quirky) feature is the rising bass line for the words ".... that falleth on the grass". Dew doesn't fall, it rises from the ground, hence my word 'painting'!
The Piano Sonata was composed for Duncan Honeybourne. This work set out to be mono-thematic and in the romantic tradition of the late 19th & early 20th century, with perhaps a nod towards slightly more 'modern' harmony."
Rick Birley, 2024
Duncan Honeybourne enjoys a diverse profile as a pianist and in music education. Following his concerto debuts at Symphony Hall, Birmingham, and the National Concert Hall, Dublin, he made recital debuts in London, Paris and at international festivals in Belgium and Switzerland. Commended for his "gripping performances" (The Times), "glittering performances" (International Piano) and "great technical facility and unfailing imagination" (Musical Opinion), he has toured extensively as soloist and chamber musician, broadcasting frequently on BBC Radio 3 and worldwide. Many recordings reflect his long association with 20th and 21st century British piano music. For more information on Honeybourne's recordings, recitals and more, seewww.duncanhoneybourne.com/
