CECILIA McDOWALL
‘Cecilia McDowall is another of the new generation of highly communicative musicians who favours writing which, without being in any way facile, is brightly cogent, freshly witty and expressive in its own right.’
GRAMOPHONE
‘The life-affirming, restorative strength of her direct and unaffected speech is fully communicated in these carefully prepared, joyous performances.’
TEMPO
FEATURED WORK
‘There was nothing lacking in invention, in this new work. The musical and emotional contrasts were tangible. At the outset, the glowering darkness of the Philharmonia’s woodwind, taken up by rich textures in the chorus, with a periodic rocking motion, and the alternation, then unifying, of the soloists all had a mesmerising effect.’
CHURCH TIMES
‘There is much sparkling and shimmering in McDowall’s writing. Cadences quiver and shiver unresolved, then vaporise as though overcome by their mysteriousness.’
THE TIMES
FEATURED RECORDING
The sublime Choir of St. John’s College, Cambridge return with the second volume in their Advent series – celebrating the advent season from within the Christian tradition; a season celebrated since at least the sixth century.
This splendid live recording, from within the Chapel of St. John’s College itself, features Christmas favourites including A Prayer to St John the Baptist by Cecilia McDowall.
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LATEST NEWS
Cecilia McDowall honoured at The Ivors Composer Awards
The Ivor Novello Award for Outstanding Works Collection recognises her exceptional body of classical works. In presenting the ‘Gift of the Academy’ award to Cecilia McDowall the Academy said that Cecilia is “a highly skilful and captivating composer who communicates...
A Winter’s Night | Winchester College | Onyx Brass
Classic FM has chosen A Winter’s Night as its Album of the Week with Alexander Armstrong. McDowall’s Christmas cantata, A Winter’s Night is sung by the Winchester College Chapel Choir with Onyx Brass, Ben Cunningham, organ, conductor Howard Ionascu. Recorded on the...
The Sixteen | A Choral Odyssey
The fifth programme in our A Choral Odyssey series explores the origins of the carol – in its earliest form it was a round dance, more secular than sacred. Mediaeval carols were for everyone from festivities in the town square or village green to celebrations in...
OUP CATALOGUE
‘During the past few years the music of this British composer has been heard more and more, and her output has impressed audiences, players and critics alike. It deserves to.’
‘During the past few years the music of this British composer has been heard more and more, and her output has impressed audiences, players and critics alike. It deserves to.’
‘She constantly tweaks the ear with her range of spicy rhythms and colours then suddenly produces a highly atmospheric and grippingly expressive interlude which is just as compelling.’
GRAMOPHONE
‘She constantly tweaks the ear with her range of spicy rhythms and colours then suddenly produces a highly atmospheric and grippingly expressive interlude which is just as compelling.’
GRAMOPHONE