THE WAYS OF GOING Cantata for voice (baritone), oboe and string quartet (1990)
One of the composer's most significant works, described by many as a masterpiece. The text is taken from poems by Alun Lewis, the brilliant Welsh poet who was killed on active service in Burma in 1944. The core of the work is a setting of ON EMBARKATION, an evocative portrayal of the sight, sounds and feelings present as young soldiers sailed away to war; 'In all the ways of going, who can tell the real from the unjustified farewell?'
The work was commissioned by Peter Florence, director of the Hay-on-Wye Literature Festival, who introduced the works of Lewis to Adrian Williams, to the composer's good fortune. The magnificent first performance was given at Hay church in June 1990 by John Shirley Quirk, the late Sara Watkins Shirley-Quirk (oboe) and the Alberni Quartet. The poet's widow Gweno was present and full of tears saying these were the best settings of her husband's work to date.
The first London performance was given by James Meek (baritone), Sian Davies (oboe) and members of the Chamber Music Company, at the Purcell Room in April 1992.
DURATION 51'
(Eschig)

follow the text of part 1
follow the text of part 2
follow the text of part 3