Rosemary’s setting of a cycle of eight songs (words by William Wray) received its first public performance in Lincoln Cathedral on August 27th 2014. The performers were Rachel Knowles (soprano) and Heather Benson (piano). The occasion was the Candle-Lit Finale of the Lincoln Labyrinth Festival, a three-week celebration of ‘The Journey of Life’ centred on a labyrinth pattern created on the floor of the nave. Throughout the festival visitors were able to walk the labyrinth and view the exhibition of paintings, embroidery and textile work in the south aisle and in the Morning Chapel. Beyond the touch of time charts an emotional journey from a moment of bliss, through loss and despair to a realisation of the ever-present availability of serenity and joy. It was given a committed and sensitive performance by Rachel and Heather as the climax of a reflective evening of poetry and music for choir and harp. Also included in the programme were three of Rosemary’s devotional songs to texts by Nityaanand. Lynn Shaw (soprano) sang Come sweet friend and the Labyrinth Choir, conducted by Crauford Thomson, performed I am not born and Walking but taking no footsteps. The accompanist was Heather Benson. Scores of Beyond the touch of time and of the three devotional songs are available from the composer.
Listen to an extract:
https://soundcloud.com/rosemary-broadbent/7-a-constant-yearningwav
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