News

‘Natus Est’ Premiere in December

A new solo organ work, Natus Est, composed for Christ Church Cathedral sub-organist Richard Moore, will receive its first performances in December, in concerts at St John’s Smiths Square London, and carol services at Christ Church Cathedral in Oxford. The work, partly based on the musical theme of ‘Come All Ye Faithful’, is a challenging and exciting work for the instrument, and will be featured in live stream concerts from the venue. Richard has commissioned two previous works from Solfa, Edwyllm and Silver Tree Fanfare. More information about Richard Moore and his work is available here.

Richard Moore, organist

Nutcracker Song Arrangement

Solfa has produced a new choral arrangement of favourites from Tchaikovsky’s Nutcracker for American publisher JW Pepper, under the title ‘The Nutcracker Song’. The Nutcracker Song features the most popular pieces from The Nutcracker, including March, Trepak, Waltz of the Flowers, Dance of the Reed Flutes and Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy. Words to accompany the music, about the excitement of Christmas time, have been added by Orison Carlile. The music is available to peruse and purchase here. Solo, 2 and 3-part choral arrangements are also available via Sheet Music Direct here.

Orgelbüchlein Performance in Hamburg

Solfa’s solo organ piece, ‘Gott hat das Evangelium‘, commissioned in 2018 as part of the International Orgelbüchlein composition project, will have another performance at the Main Church of St. Catherine in Hamburg on 18th June. It will be performed by organist Rainer Thomsen as part of the JS Bach marathon, along with other new pieces previously commissioned over the course of the project. More information is available here.

Storybook Land Publication

The sheet music for Storybook Land, which premiered on April 13th as part of the Music Network tour, is now available for purchase as a digital download here.

Physical copies can be purchased on request from the CMC (Contemporary Music Centre) along with a note asking for the separate Trumpet part to be included.

Premiere of ‘Storybook Land’

Solfa’s new work, Storybook Land, commissioned by Music Network Dublin, was premiered on Thursday 13th April at Abbeystrewry Church, Cork, in a concert by Claudia Boyle, Niall O’Sullivan and Conor Linehan. The piece received its world premiere at the concert, and will receive repeat performances during the trio’s April tour, details of which can be found here.

Composer Insight Session

Solfa’s new work Storybook Land, commissioned by Music Network in 2022, will receive its premiere performance on Thursday 13th April at St Barrahane’s Church, Castletownshend, Cork. The piece will receive subsequent performances as part of an April tour by musicians Conor Linehan, Niall O’Sullivan and Claudia Boyle. As part of the concert on 13th April, Solfa will present a brief ‘composer insight’ session explaining a little about the compositional process and the inspiration behind the work. Details regarding the concert are available here.

New Music Festival Dublin

Solfa’s piece ‘Dystopia’ will feature at the New Music Festival in Dublin, as part of a programme by contemporary music group Evlana. Also featured in the concert are new works by contemporary Irish composers, including the premiere of Jenn Kirby’s ‘Surrounding’ for flutes and electronics.

Music Network Commission

A new piece by Solfa Carlile is to be commissioned for an April 2023 concert series by Music Network with funds provided by the Arts Council / An Chomhairle Ealaíon.

Music Network is Ireland’s national music touring and development organisation. It was founded by the Arts Council/An Chomhairle Ealaíon in 1986, and has as its patron President of Ireland Michael D. Higgins.

The piece will receive its premiere in April 2023 by soprano Claudia Boyle, Niall O’Sullivan on trumpet and pianist Brian Connor.

Edwyllm Performances in Copenhagen

Organist Richard Moore has given several performances of ‘Edwyllm’ – a piece commissioned in 2017, including as part of a concert series in Copenhagen in August 2022. Richard Moore continues to champion new work and performs Edwyllm as part of his regular repertoire. Previously, ‘Silver Tree Fanfare’, for Trumpet and Organ, was commissioned in 2016 and premiered by Moore and Ellie Lovegrove at St Martin in the Fields. ‘Edwyllm’ received its premiere performance on 25th November 2017 at All Saints Church in Margaret St, London, and has also been performed at Guildford Cathedral where Richard Moore enjoys a residency as sub organist.

Musical Theatre Radio – Setanta the Brave

Solfa and Rob Carlile’s ‘Setanta the Brave‘ will now feature on Toronto-based Musical Theatre Radio as part of the Sampler Platter, an initiative to promote and play new, original musicals.

Tracks from the show will be broadcast regularly as part of the station’s programming, from March 2022.

Episode and musical air dates can be viewed here.

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