Album Notes

The British composer Julie Cooper has a keen ear for melody, and demonstrates her talent for creating a sustained, singing line in an elegant rhapsody for cello, harp and strings in “Cariad”. Cooper enjoys a substantial career in London, composing scores for theatre, radio and television. In this new piece she has crafted a pastoral idyll, inspired by the passion and pride of her Welsh upbringing. “Cariad” means “Love” in Welsh, and immediately it becomes clear that Cooper has a huge talent for writing for the instruments she employs in this tender and moving work. Exploring the full range of tonal sonorities and soloistic expression of the cello, “Cariad” is a wonderful addition to the repertoire for this lyrical instrument, proving deeply touching, and immensely attractive to audiences wherever it is heard. Passionately performed by the eminent cellist Justin Pearson, CARIAD received its World Premiere at St. Martin-in-the-Fields, London on September 11th, 2008.
'SERENADING TIDES' is a vocalise inspired by the hypnotic lulling of tidal changes, beautifully performed by the distinguished soprano Claire Moore at its World Premiere in New York's Weill Recital Hall, Carnegie Hall in 2007.

Julie Cooper's music has been heard on television documentaries and dramas in the UK, Europe,the USA and Asia Pacific. For drama, she has written many scores for theatre in the UK and Europe and for BBC Radio Drama. For the concert hall she has composed for various combinations of instruments from string orchestra to percussion quartet to full stage-band to a 250 massed children's choir, with performances at venues ranging from London's Royal Festival Hall, Royal Albert Hall and St.Martin-in-the-Fields , John Dankworth's The Stables, New York's Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall, to the middle of the River Thames with a backdrop of choreographed fireworks.

JUSTIN PEARSON is one of London’s busiest and most versatile musicians. He is Principal cellist and Artistic Director of The National Symphony Orchestra (UK), Guest Principal cellist of the Royal Philharmonic and English Sinfonia Orchestras and cellist of the English Piano Trio. Justin is artistic director and manager of the Locrian Ensemble of London, one of the most sought after, and often-recorded ensembles in Britain today. Justin has played chamber music in Downing Street, performed by invitation to Queen Elizabeth ll (The Commonwealth Institute) and the Prince of Wales (Hampton Court). Tours abroad have included performing with the Feinstein Ensemble in Egypt, playing solo recitals at the Edinburgh and Spoleto Festivals, touring Germany and Holland, and performing many concertos, including the Elgar, at St.Martin-in-the-Fields. Just recently he has undertaken his first solo recital tour to the USA.
Justin serves as a Governor to the Royal Society of Musicians, a charity that supports musicians in need, and is Musical Patron of Sunbeams Music Trust, helping children and adults with special needs, through music, in Cumbria.
DAVID FIRMAN is the Principal Guest Conductor with the Danish Radio Sinfonietta, and divides his time between the concert hall and the recording studio, not only in the UK but also in Europe and further afield. He is a visiting professor (arranging and orchestration) at the Royal Academy of Music and the Royal Danish Music Conservatoire.
CLAIRE MOORE trained as a soprano at the Royal Northern College of Music under the guidance of Joseph Ward. She has performed major roles in many West End shows, most notably ‘Christine’ in ‘The Phantom of The Opera’ and ‘ Ellen’ in ‘Miss Saigon’ in the original productions. As a concert soloist Claire has had the privilege of performing with some of the world’s finest orchestras, with a repertoire ranging from classical to contemporary. Claire has appeared on film, TV, radio and many recordings.