Holmfirth Arts Festival is set to captivate audiences with a remarkable double bill of new music on Saturday, 3rd August at The Civic Holmfirth. This event will showcase two innovative compositions: “Requiem for a Fading World” and “The River Flows,” each offering a unique auditory and visual experience.
A Modern Requiem for a Post-Apocalyptic World
“Requiem for a Fading World” reimagines the traditional Requiem through a fusion of contemporary classical, choral, and folk influences. This live performance tells a fantastical, post-apocalyptic tale set in a landscape of perpetual winter, where modern fuel resources are nearly depleted. The narrative follows two solo singers—a Mother (alto Jacqui Wicks) and her Daughter (soprano Emily Brown Gibson)—as they navigate this harsh terrain separately.
Composed by the award-winning Kerrin Tatman, “Requiem for a Fading World” premiered in 2023 at The Glasshouse International Centre for Music (formerly Sage Gateshead). The composition is written for a choir, solo singers, and a chamber ensemble, featuring English lyrics by songwriter Rosie Bristow. The Holmfirth Choral Society, rehearsed by Geoffrey Lockwood, and a specially assembled orchestra of talented local musicians will bring this ambitious work to life.
The Holmfirth Song Cycle: A Journey Through Time
“The River Flows (The Holmfirth Song Cycle)” by Screaming Media Productions, created by Good Earth Collective’s songwriter Steve Ansell and artist Jan Ansell, offers a musical exploration of Holmfirth and its river from the Bronze Age to the present day. This audiovisual experience delves into the landscape, industry, work lives, and human stories of Holmfirth through its residents’ ongoing relationship with the river.
A Tribute to Steve Sykes
Bev Adams, the Festival Director, highlights the significance of these commissions: “The River Flows and Requiem For a Fading World are Steve Sykes Commissions for the festival, made possible by funding from Arts Council England and our commitment to investing in new work by local artists. In 2020, we dedicated this effort to our then-chairperson Steve Sykes, a talented musician and supporter of new music and emerging musicians, who passed away suddenly that year.
We are thrilled to present these excellent and thought-provoking pieces at this year’s festival as they align with our theme of Flow—inspired by the River Holme—and our dedication to programming work influenced by our landscape and environment.”
Ticket Information
Tickets for the event are now available. Prices are as follows:
- Full price: £20
- Special offer: £40 (3 for 2, where three people can attend for the price of two)
- Concessions: £18
- Under 16s: £9
- Free entry for 18-year-olds with the Holmfirth 18 Cultural Voucher
Holmfirth Arts Festival 2024
Holmfirth Arts Festival will continue until the end of September 2024, with a full lineup of events available on their website. The festival envisions a vibrant creative future for the Holme Valley, producing life-enhancing events inspired by the landscape for everyone to enjoy.
