Aberdeen composer’s symphony to receive world premiere

By FRANK URQUHART
Published on 16/11/2012 12:43

A NORTH east based composer will finally see an ambition he has held for four decades come to fruition during a special concert at Aberdeen’s Music Hall on Sunday.

A symphony by Dr Geoff Palmer, a lecturer in music at Aberdeen University, will receive its world premiere at the event, held in association with the city’s Sound Festival.

His “Cædmon Symphony” will be performed by one of the largest musical ensembles ever to take to the stage at the Music Hall with more than 250 singers and musicians from the University of Aberdeen’s Symphony Orchestra, Choral Society and King’s College Chapel Society under the baton of conductor Christopher Gray.

Making a guest appearance is the acclaimed violin soloist – and Dr Palmer’s daughter - Ruth Palmer, who was named Young Classical Performer of the Year at the Classical BRITs in 2007.

Dr Palmer explained: “This is a piece that I have been planning to write for my entire career. I first began work on it while I was still a student but at that time I hadn’t developed sufficiently as a composer to do the ideas justice.

“But I have remained determined to complete the piece and it will be a fitting way to mark my first six decades of being alive. I feel it will also be a wonderful opportunity for the members of the University Symphony Orchestra, Choral Society and King’s College Chapel Choir to showcase their great talent in what is not an easy work to perform.”

“A Cædmon Symphony” is inspired by the 7th Century poet and musician, Cædmon, who is said to have been originally ignorant of the “art of song” but one night in the course of a dream composed a hymn about creation.