In 2018 the Chorus recorded Paul Mealor’s beautiful new work Paradise with the world-famous Black Dyke Band in Sheffield’s own City Hall. The recording has now been published as part of the Black Dyke Gold series – and composer Paul Mealor is thrilled with it. ‘I am VERY impressed.’ said Paul on first hearing the CD. ‘It is a fantastic recording of the work. The second movement is exactly as I imagined it and the choir are simply outstanding in their sections.’
Paradise features two elements sung by the Chorus alongside the band, sandwiching a central section of fiendish difficulty that the band use to showcase their virtuosity. The Chorus first sang Paradise with Black Dyke Band in January 2018 at the annual Brass Band Festival held each year at the Royal Northern School of Music in Manchester.
‘The ending really is incredibly dramatic.’ enthused Paul. ‘Thank you very much indeed for all your hard work on this. Very much appreciated.’
Paul Mealor first sprang to fame in 2011 when his Ubi Caritas was featured at the wedding of His Royal Highness Prince William to Catherine Middleton, now TRH The Duke & Duchess of Cambridge. Born in North Wales in 1975, Paul studied composition privately as a boy and then at the University of York and in Copenhagen. His music has been commissioned and performed at many festivals and by numerous orchestras and choruses and has been broadcast on TV and radio throughout the world.
Other works on this fabulous CD include Gounod’s beautiful Ave Maria and Sousa’s rousing Liberty Belle. Purchase your copy of Black Dyke Gold Volume VII on the Black Dyke Band website.
Sheffield Philharmonic Chorus are planning to sing this fabulous piece again on Sunday 9 June 2019, when they will be joined by the Black Dyke Band, Halifax Choral Society, the Yorkshire Youth Choir and four great soloists for a very special concert at 3pm in the City Hall.
As well as Paradise, the programme will feature Yorkshire composer Philip Wilby’s new oratorio for brass, voices and organ, The Holy Face. This musical retelling of the life of St John was commissioned by Halifax Choral Society and their conductor John Pryce-Jones to celebrate their 200th Anniversary, premiered in Halifax in October 2017 and was subsequently recorded by the artists who will present it at the City Hall in June 2019. Copies of the CD are available from Halifax Choral Society, priced £15.
Paul Mealor is very pleased that his Paradise will be sung again, this time in Sheffield, and is hoping to be able to attend. For further details about this very special concert, see Current Season.