The Ivors Composer Awards nominees have been announced and Lighthouse is thrilled that Richard Blackford has been nominated for The Black Lake, commissioned and performed by Bournemouth Symphony Chorus at Lighthouse.
Nominated in the Best Vocal and Choral Composition category alongside Anselm McDonnell for A Taste of Trapped Sun, Stephen McNeff’s Ballads of a Bogman, Martin Suckling for Songs of Sleep and Prophecy and Deirdre McKay’s Litany to the Magdalene Dead, The Black Lake was co-commissioned by Lighthouse and the Three Choirs Festival where it premiered last year.
“It is a wonderful achievement and a remarkable piece of work,” says Elspeth McBain, Lighthouse Chief Executive.
“Bournemouth Symphony Chorus plays a significant role in the cultural life of our region. Not only do they bring the great choral masterpieces to life in our Concert Hall, they also champion the creation of new works that speak powerfully to contemporary audiences and ideas.
“Lighthouse is very fortunate to have them as our resident choir, and we are proud to support them.”
The soaring yet poignant work was inspired by Caradog Prichard’s great Welsh language novel Un Nos Ola Lead (One Moonlit Night) and pays homage to the strength of Welsh village communities between the two world wars.
Richard Blackford’s music captures the beauty, sorrows, elements, and mysteries that surround this community which comes together through music and song in times of sadness and joy.
Awarded by the Ivors Academy in celebration of excellence in music across film, television, video games, concert halls, theatre and community engagement, the Ivors Composers Awards winners will be revealed on Tuesday 17 November at Grosvenor House, London hosted by Petroc Trelawny with BBC Radio 3 as broadcast partner.
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