The Wonder Of It All

There is no more appropriate space than the magnificent nave and octagon at Ely Cathedral for this performance of two sublime choral works by esteemed American composer Dan Forrest. To open the evening, Dan will be at the piano for the breath of life sung by The Isabel Voices from Ontario, Canada. the breath of life is Dan’s evocative reflection on the beauty and joy of new life juxtaposed with the pain of loss. Using choir, strings, piano, solo cello, percussion, organ, and electronics, he creates a rich and poignant soundscape intertwined with profound and compelling texts from scripture as well as classic and modern poetry. The emotional arc of the music beautifully mirrors that of life, from the miracle of birth to the bereavement of death, the love that makes life meaningful, and the human breath that connects us all. Artistic Director, James Meaders, conducts an international festival choir for the first UK performance of CREATION in the presence of the composer. Premiered in the US in November 2023, Dan’s CREATION honours the 225th anniversary of Haydn’s similarly titled masterpiece. With a less strict narrative than Haydn’s work, it is a true celebration of the wonder and beauty of our world – The Wonder Of It All!