Thomas has just finished scoring the music to the 2012 Olympics Mascot Films. The final instalment, ‘Rainbow to the Games’, is currently showing in UK Odeon Cinemas. You can read more about the final film on the Director, Mario Cavalli’s blog here.
Trailer below:
Previous films:
Thomas and poet & lyricist Matt Harvey have finished their song cycle ‘The Same Flame’ commissioned by Churchill Music in Somerset. The work will receive its first performance on July 8th 2012, and will be published by Boosey and Hawkes.
Read more here, or on pianist Christine Stevenson’s blog here
For more information, or to purchase from Boosey & Hawkes, click here
Thomas is currently putting the finishing touches to the soundtrack for a forthcoming film project that will appear in cinemas nationwide.
The full orchestral score features choir, lots of percussion, and other solo instruments. The British Film Orchestra will record it this week in a session conducted by Barnaby Smith, artistic director of the internationally-acclaimed vocal group VOCES8, who will also be singing on the track.
Thomas is excited to be working with VOCES8 again, having taken up the position of composer-in-residence with the ensemble in August 2011. Watch this space for more information!
In other news, Thomas and poet & lyricist Matt Harvey have finished their song cycle ‘The Same Flame’ commissioned by Churchill Music in Somerset. The work will receive its first performance on July 8th 2012, and will be published by Boosey and Hawkes.
Adam Lay Ybounden – An atmospheric unaccompanied SATB setting of this 15th century English text
The Bread of the Hungry - A setting of words of St Basil the Great, covering themes of social justice (the more complex version, with use of note-clusters in the accompaniment – if you are looking for the simple version (RSCM) go here!)
Silent Night - a quirky new arrangement for SATB & accompaniment (in 5/4 time)
Fish Jubilate – an exuberant and vibrant setting of the Jubilate, for SATB & organ
Intrada for Organ – as reviewed in Organists’ Review (watch on YouTube here)
The RSCM Millenium Youth Choir recently recorded Thomas’s uplifting choral anthem ‘My Beloved Spake‘. For sheet music click here
Boosey & Hawkes have just launched their new Contemporary Choral Series – which contains Thomas’s choral anthem Oculi Omnium.
“Oculi Omnium’ was written during a visit to south-west France, and is a peaceful setting of the plainchant gradual taken from the Book of Psalms, Psalm 145 vv 14-15. Beginning and ending in C major, the work’s expressive melodic line creates a resoundingly comforting atmosphere. It won the Brasenose College Oxford Platnauer Grace competition, receiving a premiere by internationally-acclaimed vocal group Voces8 in Brasenose College Chapel on October 24, 2010.”
The sheet music for this title, performed by VOCES8 below, is available to purchase via the Boosey & Hawkes web shop here. The recording below is from the album ‘Lady of the Lake’, which is available from Amazon, iTunes, and all good record stores.
Due to requests for further details of Thomas’s carols and recent seasonal music, here is a complete listing (correct as at 1 December 2011) with links to perusal scores, demo clips and recordings where available. Do get in touch if you require more information. Publisher contact information is listed below.
Wishing you a very warm festive season.
CHILD OF THE STABLE’S SECRET BIRTH (OUP) (words by Timothy Dudley-Smith)
“Due to popular demand, this tuneful carol is being made available as a separate choral publication. Setting a text by Timothy Dudley-Smith, the piece is characterized by a strong, memorable melody and warm harmonies. The choral leaflet preserves the flexible scoring of the original (first published in The Oxford Book of Flexible Carols), making it accessible to choirs of all types and sizes.”
Sheet Music ~ Youtube (with introduction by Thomas) ~ Recording ~ itunes ~ For ensemble version (hire) contact Iain MacKinlay music.hire.uk@oup.com
“A delightful Christmas miniature, Waltz Carol is infused with Gallic charm and an air of festive wonder. Words by the composer, recounting the angel’s prophecy to Mary and the subsequent birth of Jesus, are set to tenderly lilting melodies, with a Satie-inspired accompaniment and colourful harmonic touches. An enchanting addition to any service or concert during the Christmas season. An accompaniment for strings is available on hire/rental.”
Sheet Music ~ Youtube ~ VOCES8 EP (itunes) ~ Introduction by Thomas here ~ For ensemble version (hire) contact Iain MacKinlay music.hire.uk@oup.com
THE BABE IN GLORY CROWNED (RSCM)
“If you are looking for that exciting last carol for your carol service or concert, this is it! This carol is great fun to sing, with undemanding part-writing, attractive melody, soaring last verse descant and an energetic accompaniment. This lovely carol will send them out with a smile.”
IN THE BLEAK MID-WINTER (RSCM)
“This new setting of the classic Rosetti words, with a soulful melody and rich harmonies, is a worthy addition to the repertoire. The flexible writing means that both small choirs with limited resources and larger choirs will find much to get their teeth into and enjoy this deeply moving work.”
WHAT CHILD IS THIS? (as featured in OUP CAROLS FOR CHOIRS 5)
as featured in BBC Music Magazine Christmas 2011 edition!
Sheet Music (CFC5) ~ Youtube ~ Recording ~ itunes
NEW YEAR CAROL (as featured in RSCM’s ‘AN EPIPHANY PROCESSION’)
‘a lilting beginning to a new year’
A CHRISTMAS CRACKER!
A seasonal orchestral romp through all the well-known carols.
“…it is Christmas Cracker by Thomas Hewitt Jones, former BBC Young Composer competition winner, that is the best of the various carol arrangements, bringing the CD to an appropriately rousing end.”
Read more here
Recording (Naxos) ~ itunes ~ Sheet Music (hire): email info@encorepublications.com
COMING SOON for 2012: an exciting set of brand new christmas material published by Edition Peters, with a new album by VOCES8 and the British Film Orchestra. More info soon.
For more information, please contact Thomas Hewitt Jones’s managers Charles and Cathy at mail@negusfancey.com
Thomas talks ethos and influences with Andy King, MUSO Magazine Aug/Sept 2011 issue…
AWARD-WINNING BRITISH COMPOSER THOMAS HEWITT JONES LAUNCHES A NEW RECORD LABEL, VIVUM RECORDS, WITH HIS LATEST ALBUM ‘LADY OF THE LAKE’
“How refreshing to discover a living composer who dares to write music that possesses both splendid melody and well-crafted conventional harmony ..” MUSO magazine
‘Lady of the Lake’ is Thomas’ second album, following the successful release of ‘Under Milk Wood’ at the end of 2009 “Characterful and beautiful – almost too beautiful” – Classical Music Magazine, February 2010 ****
“…the wonderful new music, composed, orchestrated and partly performed live by Thomas Hewitt Jones.” 5 stars – The Independent [about 'Under Milk Wood']
This new album is a culmination of Thomas’ recent compositions and features the ballet suite ‘Lady of the Lake’, performed by members of the Chamber Orchestra of London and conducted by the composer. ‘Lady of the Lake’ was originally commissioned by the national Welsh Ballet Company, ‘Ballet Cymru,’ following Thomas’s highly successful previous collaboration with the Company. ‘Lady of the Lake’ toured the UK throughout 2010 including Lillian Baylis Theatre, Sadlers Wells.
“I’ve never heard a more perfect contemporary classical score – the perfect complement to an innovative ballet…” Review – the Brewhouse Theatre, Taunton, 18 June 2010
The ‘Lady of the Lake’ album also features luscious choral music from Voces8, including Thomas’ new carol, ‘What Child is this?’ (published by Oxford University Press Carols for Choirs 5) as well as a selection of striking and innovative instrumental music, ‘Spirits of the Night – Shades of Grief’ played by acclaimed harpist Eleanor Turner and ‘Sonata Cimarella’ performed by talented young oboist James Turnbull. As a special addition, Thomas plays his own organ composition, ‘Carnival’, (published by Novello ‘Little Organ Book’)
Thomas Hewitt Jones’s music speaks with an emotional directness, is mainstream whilst remaining fresh and inspired, manipulating harmonic centres in often quirky and unpredictable ways. ‘Lady of the Lake’ is an interesting, characterful and moving listening experience.
Apart from being a successful ballet, instrumental and vocal composer, Thomas is currently scoring the music to the 2012 Olympics Mascots films, the latest instalment of which was the recent animation ‘Adventures on a Rainbow’ (performed by the National Youth Orchestra of Great Britain and conducted by Thomas).
‘Lady of the Lake’ and other music by Thomas Hewitt Jones’ (VR37603 Barcode 885767613744)
AVAILABLE FROM ALL GOOD RECORD STORES + ONLINE FROM MAY 2011
Join the official Facebook page at www.facebook.com/thomashewittjonesmusic
Press enquiries please email mail@negusfancey.com
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* CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE PRESS RELEASE AS PDF *
* CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD PUBLICITY PHOTO OF THOMAS HEWITT JONES * (NB must be credited ‘Copyright Jamie Smith’)
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