This new collection of my choral music features recent commissions from choirs near and far. The overall theme of the album is one of hope, but also concern for our relationship with living things and the planet we inhabit. In Earthificat I have based a new secular, environmental text on the words and structure of the famous evensong canticle Magnificat and in Renew me in the sunlight the words ask for strength for us to move forward in balance with nature. There is a movement, Reverence from my secular mass m=pV, a work about our stewardship of nature and our place within the universe, and a setting of some beautiful words by the great nature poet William Wordsworth in We are laid asleep. Alongside this are Christmas settings and other choral songs. The timbres weave between my more classical a cappella and strings texture, towards a more jazz inflected sound world in tracks such as On this night and Let all the people praise you. I have worked many times with the inspirational Newcastle-based choir Voices of Hope who won BBC Choir of The Year in 2016 and who have continued to grow in vocal magic and audiences since that time. It’s been a joy to work with them and their musical director Mark Edwards alongside my own ensemble and string players from the Alina Orchestra. Huge thanks to all who contributed and supported us via the crowdfunder to help make this project possible and to Signum Classics for their belief in this recording.

Will Todd © 2025