Full house expected for Masefield song cycle

1:14pm Wednesday 25th June 2008

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HALF the tickets have already been sold for the world premiere performance of a song cycle based on eight of John Masefield's most famous poems and scored by the Ledbury-based composer, John Frith .

The Community Hall should be full for "The Wanderer" on Sunday, July 6 at 8pm, during the Ledbury Poetry Festival.

Mr Frith said that Ledbury Community Choir and friends had been rehearsing the specially-commissioned piece since Christmas.

He said that the bones of the songs were down in a month, but he added: "It's the tweaking and the turning afterwards that takes the time."

The whole song cycle will take around 35 to 40 minutes.

Mr Frith has set to music an number of Masefield classics including Sea Fever and Cargoes.

Other poems in the cycle include Eastnor Knoll, Tewkesbury Road, The Seekers, Trade Winds, Beauty and The Wanderer's Song.

Mr Frith said: "I hope very much that it is accessible, tuneful music.

"For example, Trade Winds has a Latin Flavour while Sea Fever has a folk-like melody."

It was Sea Fever that gave Mr Frith most trouble, given that it has already been famously set to music by the composer John Ireland.

Mr Frith had to get that version out of his head, before he could continue.

The composer has opted to sing with the choir and the conductor will be Malcolm Hughes.

A recording will be made by sound recordist Peter Lawson-Smith and there are plans to make a CD available afterwards.

The words will certainly not be forgotten on the night.

Peter Carter, chairman of the John Masefield Society, will read each poem out before each song version.

Tickets are available through the Festival box office on 0845 458 1743.