Première success

30 July, 2026

New commission for the Petworth Festival, 'The South Downs Suite', was performed by the London Conchord to a packed audience last Wednesday. Festival chairman Neil Franks commented: Wednesday evening’s (22nd July) Petworth Festival concert could not be allowed to only be known to just the 300 people who were fortunate enough to be there. I don’t think there can be many musical experiences as fine and English as we were lucky enough to witness at St Mary’s Church in Petworth, but in this case, not just English, but more specifically a magical celebration of The South Downs. The audience was so transfixed that I don’t think anyone even noticed that this was one of the longest concerts they would ever expect to attend, nor would it be of concern given the magical spell the entire event cast upon us. The highlight of the evening was the world première of Ned Bigham’s The South Downs Suite, written for the most unusual but such effective instrumental “nonet” figuration (flute/piccolo, oboe/cor anglais, clarinet/bass clarinet, harp, piano and string quartet (!). The musical journey starts on Barlavington Down, to its summit being climbed figuratively by the long sonorous note of the viola (if you had previously underestimated the power of this instrument and the musical direction it is capable of travelling, you will now be satisfied!!!). We proceed to Eartham Wood where we experience the vibrant bird life. Then onto Amberley Brooks where our great Steinway Model D (excuse the commercial interlude but it does convey the power of the waterway with such clarity), and finally to the farmsteads of Coldharbour, above the thatched rooves and character of the villages of Sutton and Bignor, the latter being our composers homestead! We can now only hope that we will hear this glorious music everywhere we travel, and the further away we might be, the more we will be drawn back to home base! In short, congratulations Ned for this great work of art that is worthy of global recognition.'

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Two new dance releases

30 July, 2026

Robbie Rivera, Fina.4 and Raflo have just released 'Running Free', which is out on New York label DancePush. Meanwhile, Dutch label Armada Music has just re-released Triggerhappy ft Meme 'Only Love', originally released on Reverb Records back in the Noughties.

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New release with Genesis Sixteen - Charlotte Smith’s Sonnet XCII

03 July, 2026

This is a remarkable live performance from the acclaimed Genesis Sixteen, recorded at St Mary’s Church, Petworth as part of the Petworth Festival. It is an unaccompanied choral setting by Ned of early Romantic poet Charlotte Smith’s Sonnet XCII. Charlotte Smith is increasingly recognised as a key figure in the Romantic movement and inspired Wordsworth, Coleridge Taylor and later Dickens.

'Low murmurs creep along the woody vale, The tremulous Aspens shudder in the breeze, Slow o’er the downs the leaden vapours sail, While I, beneath these old paternal trees, Mark the dark shadows of the threaten’d storm, As gathering clouds o’erveil the morning sun; They pass! – But oh! ye visions bright and warm With which even here my sanguine youth begun, Ye are obscured for ever! – And too late The poor Slave shakes the unworthy bonds away Which crush’d her! – Lo! the radiant star of day Lights up this lovely scene anew – My fate Nor hope nor joy illumines – Nor for me Return those rosy hours which here I used to see!'

Genesis Sixteen is The Sixteen’s pioneering free young artists’ training programme, designed to nurture the next generation of talented ensemble singers. The programme is fully funded by the Genesis Foundation. ‘Genesis Sixteen has become an integral part of what the Sixteen does and the quality of young singers remains incredibly high.’ Harry Christophers CBE

Eamonn Dougan is Associate Conductor of The Sixteen, founding Director of Britten Sinfonia Voices, Music Director of the Thomas Tallis Society, and Chief Conductor for Jersey Chamber Orchestra.

(copy and paste https://open.spotify.com/track/0CnRCjTg9leSrFCgQWTug2?si=1e0fb7af73b44d74)

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