The Gallery
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This is the archived 2008 Christmas Newsletter.
It is hard to believe that this is my fourth Christmas Message, and once again it comes to you with my love, best wishes and grateful thanks for your support and encouragement.
Christmas is not at all an easy time for many people. Away from the turkey, trimmings and tinsel can lie a lot of pain and heartache. This year, in addition, we have the difficulties associated with the financial downturn that are affecting many people in one way of another. I was humbled by a comment from a customer I was speaking with on the telephone last Christmas – she said that 2008 was going to be very difficult for many people and that my/our music could be very helpful to many people in the troubled times this year. She added it has "the ability to help people to put the heavy bits and worry bits to one side". I hope that it is indeed bringing a little bit of something, and hopefully peace and comfort, to those who are feeling the pain. If you are struggling in any way may you have the strength to cope and the conviction that even in the depths of despair you are loved and valued.
In September I had some favourable feedback from a customer on the News page of my web-site – so at least I know that one person reads what I write!! It was on my return from France, and I had written how much I feel the media so often likes to sensationalise things rather than report facts – it was just so noticeable seeing the dramatic headlines splashed all over the front pages of our newspapers – and what a contrast to what we had been used to the other side of The Channel for the previous fortnight.
Easter saw the release of Only In Your Eyes, my seventh CD recording (complete with a Bond connection –I hope you spotted it!!) and the fifth one on an animal theme. John has again written some beautiful orchestrations, as well as two specially-composed tracks; and the album is in memory of my late father, Arthur, and includes his wonderful setting of The Lord's Prayer.
Released around the same time was the double-CD album of favourite music from Radio 2's Good Morning Sunday (entitled, appropriately, Aled Jones Presents Good Morning Sunday) which includes our arrangement of Make Me a Channel of Your Peace. What a great selection of varied spiritually-uplifting music, too – and what an honour to be included amongst so many great names whose music we so love.
On Father's Day it was a real pleasure to have been invited back on Good Morning Sunday for a live interview with Aled. What fun it was! It was an opportunity to chat about dad and his music, particularly The Lord's Prayer, and was a real tribute to him. For the time of reflection I read an anonymous poem I had stumbled across on the internet, entitled 'What Makes a Dad?' Many listeners were deeply moved.
Also in June, three years after the last one, I presented a concert evening in my home church, St Peter's, introducing various guest artists as well. What a wonderful and memorable summer evening it was! I treasure every time I play in St Peter's – always feeling an enormous sense of history and peace there.
As well as exhibiting at various weekend craft shows (and it has been lovely meeting 'old' and 'new' customers!) I have given a series of other concert evenings throughout the year. Thank you to all the church fellowships for the warm reception they have given to me. I was particularly struck by a comment by Revd Richard Emblin, Rector of St Mary's, Cowes, after the evening in his church at the end of June – and I am grateful for his permission to quote him – "The churches have begun to listen more, and having listened to a reflective evening with Charles it became apparent to me that we need to not only listen but be willing to reflect. Only after listening and reflecting can we begin to know what God may require."
It has also been wonderful, and a real privilege, to have played in some of our magnificent places of worship this year – I have given informal lunchtime recitals in Rochester Cathedral, Wells Cathedral (the West front being to my mind one of the most splendid sights in the country), Hinde Street Methodist Church, London, Chichester Portsmouth and Norwich Cathedrals and Romsey Abbey – the latter a fundraising event for Naomi House, The Wessex Children’s Hospice. I have also had a number of local radio interviews during the course of the year – any opportunity to chat!
A number of years ago I became a member of RoadPeace, the national charity for road traffic victims – not because my life has been touched by a road crash but because of my interest in road safety; and it has been a pleasure to have composed a special solo piano piece for this year's World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims, globally recognised as the third Sunday in November – this year it fell on 16th November. I recorded the piece, entitled The Long Adieu, in April in St John's, Smith Square (wow, how exciting it was to play there!) and it has touched a lot of hearts thanks to the air-play on Good Morning Sunday and a number of local radio stations as well as being played at several commemoration services around the world. May those of you who have suffered a bereavement as a result of a road crash find comfort and strength in the music.
Just lastly, I wanted to share with you a magnificent Remembrance Day concert I attended in Portsmouth Cathedral. Poet Laureate Andrew Motion and composer Sir Peter Maxwell Davies were present to listen to a piece on which they have collaborated on the life of Harry Patch (at the age of 110 the second oldest living man in the UK and the last surviving soldier to have fought in the trenches of WW1). Although the music was modern and quite dischordant, and perhaps not quite what I was expecting (but then, who am I to say? – after all, Sir Peter is Master of The Queen's Music!!) it was indeed very striking. Poulenc's Organ Concerto, Elgar's Serenade for Strings and Durufle's Requiem completed the memorable programme.
I look forward to sharing more of my music with you in 2009. In the meantime I wish you all a very happy and peaceful Christmas.
With love, Charles