WINTER LIGHT – new release from Joanna Forbes L’Estrange

WINTER LIGHT Joanna Forbes L’Estrange
London Voices
Ben Parry, conductor
Richard Gowers, organ
Olivia Jageurs, harp
Harry Baker, piano

‘….simply beautiful choral writing by someone who knows, from a singer’s perspective, how to compose music which every choir will want to sing.’ – Sir John Rutter CBE, British choral composer

Following Heaven to Earth, Joanna Forbes L’Estrange’s first album on Signum Classics, Winter Light is an album of works (complete with some world premiere recordings and new arrangements) celebrating the season of Winter, as well as Christmas and Advent.

The common themes linking all 19 tracks are of light triumphing over darkness, good overcoming evil and, ultimately, love conquering all. The first 12 tracks tell the familiar Christmas story, from the eager anticipation of the saviour’s birth (Advent ‘O’ Carol, track 1) and its foretelling by the prophet Isaiah (Isaiah’s Prophecy, track 2) to the
annunciation (I Will Hold Him, track 3, and O Virgo Virginum, track 4), to the birth itself (Carol of the Crib, track 5 and Jesus Christ is Born Today, track 7) and its significance for humankind (In the Bleak Midwinter, track 8, and Love Came Down, track 9). Thereafter, the visitation from the shepherds (Song of the Shepherds, track 10) and the arrival
of the magi at Epiphany (A Present for the Future, track 12) remind us that we, like the shepherds and wise men, need also to follow the light (A Story of Light, track 11). In the midst of this nativity narrative sits the title track (Winter Light, track 6) whose words mark the transition from darkness to light.

VIDEO Advent ‘O’ Carol https://youtu.be/_ONpwLV_AEQ?si=m2_QCTSltLz9Z6Pf

The second part of the album takes on an altogether different tone to reflect secular winter themes. As a professional singer Forbes L’Estrange is known for performing in a wide variety of styles and this is reflected in her compositions. Whereas the first half of this album is stylistically largely within the familiar realms of the sacred choral music
tradition, the latter leans towards jazz and folk. The Three Wise Women (track 13) was written in response to a commission from St Swithun’s School in Winchester. ‘There are numerous pieces in the Christmas choral repertoire about the three wise men so it was about time for the women to have their own song,‘ says the composer.

The remaining six tracks explore various winter themes. Winter Songs (tracks 14-16) was composed for the 60th anniversary of Finchley Children’s Music Group. Though conceived for children’s voices, the songs’ themes of hibernation, homelessness and human kindness are relevant to all ages. Green Christmas (track 17) was written
during the first covid lockdown and is a subtle play on Irving Berlin’s classic, White Christmas. Track 18, Spring Will Come Again, is a folk-style song about the cyclical nature of the seasons. The album concludes with an arrangement of Auld Lang Syne (track 19) which Joanna wrote many years ago when she was Musical Director of The Swingle Singers.

Joanna Forbes L’Estrange says, ‘The impetus for recording this album sprang from my desire to present choirs with some contemporary yet singable Winter/Christmas-themed pieces which they might like to add to their repertoire.’

Sheet music is available from the Royal School of Church Music and L’Estrange Music – more info here https://www.joannaforbeslestrange.com/forbes-lestrange-christmas

PRAISE FOR JOANNA FORBES L’ESTRANGE
‘Forbes L’Estrange seems to have been born with catchy melodies coursing through her veins’ – BBC Music Magazine

‘These are wonderful pieces, popular with choirs across the world, and beautifully sung by the London Voices.’ – RSCM magazine

‘I kept thinking thinking of which pieces my own choirs could perform – the ultimate compliment to the composer and her aims.’ – Organists’ Review

‘She has a gift for melody and for setting words with great sensitivity. Above all, choirs universally enjoy performing her music.’ – Philip Moore, composer & organist

WINTER LIGHT is release on 18 October on the Signum Classics label, on CD and via streaming/digital download.

Find out more https://signumrecords.com/product/winter-light/SIGCD873/