Higginson/ Auchterlonie/ Viale - Scenes & Messages

Gary Higginson has spent a life writing music for a wide range of formations, ages and abilities. Much of his work explores two great loves: nature and English literature, especially Shakespeare. Accordingly, this release presents a sequence of songs, instrumental works and a substantial cantata. This is music that is always communicative, characterful and accessible. He was born in West Bromwich which, although then semi-rural, also forms part of the industrial Black Country. His first musical experience, listening to his father's constant singing at home, led him to joining the local church choir at the age of seven, the next year beginning piano lessons with the choirmaster. The constant presence of the church and it's music has been a strong influence on him ever since and led to singing in an early performance of Britten's War Requiem. His first attempt at composition was made when he was eleven and he has not stopped for more than fifty years.