COMMISSIONS & PUBLICATIONS UPDATE
2023 Review of Euan and Craig’s Reaching: “Many of the performances on this latest collection by Conspirare are so powerful, one can’t help but be awed by their beauty. That starts with its haunting opening work, Reaching, featuring music by the choral group’s founder and leader Craig Hella Johnson and words by Welsh-Scottish poet/librettist Euan Tait…is so stirring it’s almost overwhelming. The spell is cast the moment hushed voices intone “Oh, we are far away from home / We are turning away..” “
“An eloquent libretto by Euan Tait…” (Commonwealth Chorale, on ‘The Wound in the Water’, 2018).
“Anyone paying attention to the choral world right now knows that we have a new poet on the rise in Euan Tait.” Kurt Knecht, May 2016.
“Extraordinary work…huge impact on large audience…described as ‘deeply moving’, ‘powerful’ ‘inspiring.’” (Review of ‘Unfinished Remembering’, gerontius.net Newsletter, Nov 2014)
Euan creates works for a wide range of projects. Please use contact form at https://euantait.com/contact-me/
2024
Paul Carr: Under the Greenwood Tree, An opera in four seasons. (Dorset Opera, Bryanston, July 24)
Shawn Kirchner: Princeton Motets (Princeton University Chapel, March 2024)
Dan Gawthrop: The Work of Love (March 2024)
2023
Timothy Tharaldson: The Miracle of St. Scholastica, Atchinson, Nov 23.
Kim Andre Arnesen: Our Living Future with the BBC Singers, at Milton Court Hall, Barbican, October 13th 2023.
John Muehleisen: Pilgrim Beatitudes, for Opus 7 premiere in St James Cathedral Seattle, May 2023.
Mark Buller: New opera, Drives, for Houston Grand Opera (Rothko Chapel, May 2023).
Andrew Jacobson: The Flower at the heart of me.
New recording of Euan and Craig’s ‘Reaching‘ released- on Conspirare’s new album House of Belonging. Disc nominated for a Grammy Award!
2022
Craig Hella Johnson: Dove of Love’s night and Reaching (two new Christmas texts) for Conspirare Christmas 2022.
Roy Rashbrook: Song Rushes In, for Hart Voices, November 22, Farnham, UK.
Tom Flaherty Tom Flaherty | Brightwork newmusic new song cycle for Melissa Givens, Soprano Song of One Who Loves (complete performance at (3) Song of one who loves – 1. Her sister sings. – YouTube ). First performed, Pomona College, Sept 22.
Paul Carr: premiere of The Light of Love, in Venice, August 2022.
Mark Buller: The Blessed Virgin’s Outcry for soprano and organ. Premiered Ap 2022.
Hyun Kook: Dance with the Birds, premiered by Suncheon City Choir, South Korea, in late February.
Anselm McDonnell: ‘Pollen, blood and Seaspray’ – for Accordion, Electronics, and Narrator, to celebrate Ulysses Journey 2022 – 100th anniversary of publication of James Joyce’s novel. Work premiered simultaneously 2/2/22 8pm in Dublin at the Temple Bar Meeting House Square (big outdoor screen) and in Paris. Also, on 5/2/22 Belfast at 7:30pm at the SARC Sonic Lab – with further screenings in Paris and Budapest in June. The music is accompanied by a new film created by Ross Wilson and Art Ward.
2021:
Michael Bussewitz-Quarm: So It Was I and Still the Same Love
Paul Carr The Light of Love
Thomas LaVoy Your name falls like rain for Dallas Chamber Choir.
Timothy Tharaldson: ‘Floretum‘ – cantata premiered by livestream at the Benedictine abbey church in Atchison, Kansas.
Kim Andre Arnesen: ‘Bird and rainfall’ for SATB chorus and symphony orchestra, Choral Mosaic festival in Mississauga, Canada.
NEW RECORDINGS of Euan’s texts (2021): 1. for Paul Carr’s The Light of Love, Em Records in 2021 (artists Tredici, cond Andrew Foan). Released Feb 2021. EM Records | Premières of Distinction | Latest news (em-records.com) 2. Carson Cooman oratorio As We Are Changed, Convivium Records (artists choir of Royal Holloway, University of London; London Mozart Players). 3. Release of CD of Kim’s Stabat Mater – includes Euan’s text ‘A Mother’s Prayer’ as its third movement. This is the world premiere live recording by Haderslev Domkirkes Pigekor, mezzo soprano Kristin Mulders, South Denmark Philharmonic, and conductor Thomas Berg-Juul. Recorded by Danish Radio.
2020:
Carson Cooman: Legend of the Little Child (2020) for Unison Voices and Organ | Carson Cooman – Composer for the 111th Annual Christmas Carol Services of The Memorial Church, Harvard University
Ian Assershon, ‘We Cannot Stop Singing‘
Mark Buller Quarantine Miniatures: (no XVI), ‘Sister Bird,’ ‘The Wind Sings’ and ‘The Laughter of Light.’
Kim Andre Arnesen: ‘A Mother’s Prayer’ from his Stabat Mater (Haderslev Cathedral Girl’s Choir, Denmark).
Chris Hutchings: ‘Anna, surprised‘ Anthem for the Feast of the Presentation, (fp. 2.2.20 at St.Andrew’s, Denver by its choir, cond. Thomas Kreuger).
2019:
Carson Cooman: “A Pilgrimage Carol“ (fp. 110th Annual Christmas Carol Services Harvard University Chapel, Dec 2019).
Michael Bussewitz-Quarm: “So It Was I” fp by The Esoterics, Eric Banks, Founding Director.
Carson Cooman: “As We Are Changed“, oratorio, 70 mins, fp Commonwealth Chorale cond. David Carrier, Church of the Holy Name, Boston, Mass, Nov 2019.
Anselm McDonnell: “Tearing as it is Woven“ performed by the Dublin Chamber Choir as part of the CMC choral sketches series, and in Dublin, Jan 2020.
Philip Gowland: “Kindertransport Cantata” (for the anniversary of the Kindertransport, Gloucester Festival, St. Mary de Crypt, Gloucester, 15th June.
Philip Lancaster: premiere of “Canticle I: Miriam“ in St. Paul’s Bristol, 9th June; then at Gloucester Festival, St. Mary de Crypt, 14th June.
Kim Andre Arnesen: ‘Gaze at me,’ the final movement of ‘Voices of the Silenced’ (Nov 2019, New Hampshire Chorale, cond. Dan Perkins)
Janet Oates’ cantata Birdcries performed with McGonigal Rhythm Herd at St. George the Martyr, Borough, London, 4th May; Arnesen’s The Wound in the Water receives new performances in Spain, Belgium, and across the US in 2019.
2018:
Carson Cooman: “Christmas of the Witnesses“ (The 109th Annual Christmas Carol Services, 9th and 11th December 2018, The Memorial Church, Harvard University Cambridge, MA, USA, live broadcast on the local radio station (WHRB.org).
Michael Bussewitz-Quarm: “Awake“ fp First United Church, Pittsburgh.
Janet Oates: “Birdcries of S. Cecilia” (40 minute cantata for six soloists – fp. at the Philomel St. Cecilia’s Day Concert, Swiss Church, London, 24th November)
Dominic McGonigal: String Quartet no. 2 “Mathilde” (text for quartet with soprano, fp. Pro Musica Quartet with Chärlötte Brökër, Lumen, Tavistock Place, September 26th ). ALSO “Rhythm Herd” for six soloists – fp. at the Philomel St. Cecilia’s Day Concert, Swiss Church, London, 24th November)
Janet Wheeler: “The Cries of Music” for choir (text for competition set piece – sung separately under six different conductors – for the inaugural London International Choral Conducing Competition, Duke’s Hall, Royal Academy of Music, 21st October)
Kim Andre Arnesen: “A Justice Call” (Sanctuary Chorus, Bellvue Presbyterian Church, WA, June 10th)
Chris Hutchings: “We Are One Voice” (Beaconsfield Festival of Choirs, 10th March)
2018 saw the release of three of Euan’s texts on the new and now bestselling Naxos CD of Kim Andre Arnesen’s work! (Catalogue No: 8.573788). The texts are ‘Flight Song’, ‘Child of Song’ and ‘Then gift I’ll leave you’. The BBC Singers performed mine and McGonigal’s “Night Song” at Maida Vale Studios on 18th September.
2017:
Kim Andre Arensen: ‘Song of the Soul’ (fp. Soustons, France by Quatuor Vocal Méliades and Ensemble Hope. (February 12th)
Kim Andre Arnesen: ‘Flight Song’ (TTBB version, fp by 450 men at VAN/Man Male choral summit at Chan Centre for Performing Arts in April).
Kim Andre Arnesen: ‘My Flame the Song’ (fp Edwards Masterworks Singers, Austin, Texas, and premiered in Oslo Cathedral, May 18th).
Kim Andre Arnesen: ‘Falling into mercy’ (fp. Oregon Bach Festival, by Strangeland Family Youth Choral Academy, cond Dr. Anton Armstrong, July 11th)
Kim Andre Arnesen: ‘Searching Love’ (Texas Choral Directors Association, fp. by Directors Chorus, cond. Dr. Lori Hetzel, July 22).
Dominic McGonigal: ‘Night Song’ (Founding concert of the new professional ensemble, Philomel, Brunel Museum Rotherhithe, London, 2/11/17, and March 2018)
2016:
Kim Andre Arnesen: ‘The Wound in the Water’ a 70 minute cantata for solo soprano, chorus, piano and strings, first performance as the opening concert of Trondheim’s Olavsfestdagene at Nidaros Cathedral, broadcast on national radio. The soloist was Elin Manahan Thomas, with the Grammy-award winning Conspirare choir, cond. Craig Hella Johnson.
Kim Andre Arnesen: ‘His Light in Us’ (fp. St. Olaf Choir and Dr. Anton Armstrong for the 2016 St. Olaf Christmas Festival).
2015:
Kim André Arnesen: The Christmas Alleluias, first performed by The Valley Chamber Chorale, Stillwater, Minnesota, conductor Carol Carver in December.
Paul Spicer: ‘All Saints’ Carol’ (fp. All Saints’ Northampton, UK, 20/12/15)
Timothy Tharaldson: ‘Spokes’ Youth Chorale of Central Minnesota in 2016. In reaction to this work, Kurt Knecht of MusicSpoke wrote (May 25th 2016): “Anyone paying attention to the choral world right now knows that we have a new poet on the rise in Euan Tait. He’s been collaborating with several composers including a big premiere of settings of his work by Kim Arnesen. It’s for good reason. To my mind, Euan’s extremely lyric gift comes from a poet that you can tell was raised on a steady diet of…Wordsworth. In contrast to Wordsworth, however, I don’t find a vague sort of pantheism at the bottom of Tait’s poems. Instead, they betray a profound and rich spiritual life that make them exceptionally poignant. This very grounding is what keeps his poems from floating into sentimentality despite their lyric nature.” http://musicspoke.com/blog/score-week-iii-spokes-timothy-tharaldson/
Kim Andre Arnesen: ‘Child of Song’ (fp. VocalEssence Ensemble, cond. Philip Brunelle., 14/5/15, 40th anniversary celebration of The American Composers Forum, i.m. Stephen Paulus).
Kim Andre Arnesen: ‘Love’s Onward Journey’ (fp. Manhattan Girls Chorus, cond.Michelle Oesterle with admiration and gratitude, 20/5/15, NYC).
Kim Andre Arnesen: ‘You asked me to speak’ (fp. Kokopelli Choirs, Canada, cond. Scott Leithead. Feb 2015).
2014:
Paul Spicer: ‘Unfinished Remembering.’ Choral symphony. Fp 13/9/14 at symphony Hall, Birmingham, UK, withBirmingham Bach Choir, Orchestra of the Swan, soloists Johane Ansell (soprano), William Dazeley (baritone). John Quinn: “Unfinished Remembering is a moving and compelling work. Euan Tait has written a libretto which offers a thought-provoking reflection…”
Paul Spicer: ‘A Shared Singing.’ Euan appeared twice on BBC Midlands Today, including at a rehearsal of this new National song.
Kim Andre Arnesen: ‘Flight Song’ (fp. St. Olaf Choir and conductor Anton Armstrong).