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St Mary's Church Patrixbourne
2015
In 2015 I was invited to perform some of my recently written music at St Mary's Church, Patrixbourne as part of the Free Range event 'Refugee Tales'. Written for wind trio it was performed by myself (alto sax and alto clarinet), Neil Sloman (tenor sax) and Lawrence Fletcher (bass clarinet).
Later that year I arranged a return visit to the church with Neil, Lawrence and Pianist Sam Bailey to record a series of improvisations exploring the sonic characteristics of a variety of tibetan bowls, wind instruments, the church organ and the three church bells. These ancient bells are extraordinary, one in particular being one of the first bells cast in Britain (see table below).
From the four sets of recordings I created a single work lasting over eighteen minutes - All
All
13.8.2022
On that summer's afternoon we gathered with our audience outside the church of St Mary the Virgin Bishopsbourne. Following the course of The Nailbourne, a chalk stream, we walked the public footpath to St Peter's Church in Bridge, then with the stream turning sharp east, our band of pilgrims ambled on to St Mary's at Patrixbourne, arriving towards the end of the day. We commenced playing as the light began to fade and continued through into near total darkness.
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Looking east inside Patrixbourne Church, with the light fading
Patrixbourne Church 13.8.22 (clip)Miserichords
00:00 / 05:29
Playing in Patrixbourne Church
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