This debut recording of the music of Thomas Hewitt Jones presents a broad selection of styles and genres. Each piece is characterized by craftsmanship and lyricism, whether complex in texture and harmonically advanced, a gem-like miniature, or a stylish reinvention. Child of the Stable’s Secret Birth was published in OUP’s ‘Flexible Carols’ in 2009. The vocal parts can be assigned to any combination of voices. This gentle lullaby with rocking accompaniment shares its haunting melody with a theme from Dreams in ‘Under Milk Wood’. The text of ‘Child of the stable’s secret birth’ is by Timothy Dudley-Smith (b. 1926). © Timothy Dudley-Smith in Europe and Africa. © Hope Publishing Company in the United States of America and the rest of the world. Reproduced by permission of Oxford University Press. All rights reserved. Independent Ballet Wales’ 2008 commission for ballet music set to Dylan Thomas’ ‘Under Milk Wood’ resulted in a sparkling score, arranged here as a suite for chamber ensemble. The opening Prologue echoes with the sound of distant bells; the folk of the imaginary Welsh seaside village of Llareggub are lost in their Dreams before gradually awakening to a Spring day. Infectiously rhythmic, the music then dances with personality - with lilting elegance in the Waltz, carefully negotiating the hemiolas; with scampering mischief in the Chase-Caprice, pursued by an insistent three note motif. Captain Cat swaggers merrily, while Organ Morgan muses solemnly amidst hymn-like cadences and half remembered toccatas. Lord Cut-Glass obsesses about time and clocks with witty humour; Mr Pugh the Poisoner plots with jagged, dissonant malice. The piano duets Reverie and Hymnus provide contemplative interludes. As Night Darkens, the folk-song inspired opening music of the ballet returns. The village sleeps once more; far away, bells peal softly. Composed between 2003 and 2009, Four Piano Miniatures exploit pianistic colour and contrast. The impressionistic Silent Moon won the Guardian/BBC Proms Young Composer’s competition in 2003, and its premiere was broadcast on BBC Radio 3. By the Sea has a mellifl uous, fl owing texture, while Dream includes a chromatically moving ground bass, over which various melodies are contrapuntally woven. Summer Evening uses a gently rippling effect to create a mellow and hushed atmosphere. The four pieces for string instruments are evocative and thoughtful in character. Distant Memory explores the tension between the desire to reminisce and the need to move on and embrace the future. An air of sadness mourns that which has gone, but time beckons and life must continue. Immortal Lullaby, for cello and piano, is shadowy and dark-hued. Romance, for viola and piano, starts sombrely in a minor key, grows in intensity, and ends with quiet hope. The Violin Player poignantly captures a fl eeting moment of reflection. Fantasy, composed for the National Youth Orchestra Sinfonietta in 2004, was performed in Cadogan Hall at a BBC Proms Chamber Concert conducted by the composer, and broadcast on BBC Radio 3. It is in three sections, the fi rst and last exploring expressive melodic lines, the central section vital and energetic. This version, for string sextet, was written in 2009. © Copyright Christine Tinker 2009 Thomas Hewitt Jones is an award-winning composer of both concert and commercial music. Winner of the 2003 BBC Young Composer Competition, he studied music at Cambridge University where he was also organ scholar of Gonville and Caius College. His concert work has been heard on BBC Radio, Television and in many of the major concert halls in the UK, including the Royal Festival Hall and Purcell Room at London’s South Bank centre. He has worked with numerous acclaimed ensembles such as the Britten Sinfonia, Sounds Positive, Members of the Royal Opera House orchestra and the Carducci Quartet. He has had pieces published by Faber Music, ABRSM and Oxford University Press. Thomas has worked in Hollywood assisting on two film scores, and has written music for commercial radio and TV stations including BBC Radio 4 and ITV. He has written extensively for ballet, including the 2008 Welsh Independent Ballet commission ‘Under Milk Wood’, and an adaptation of Llewellyn’s novel ‘How Green was my Valley’ in 2009. Thomas has written incidental music for numerous theatre productions, and is currently writing a large-scale musical. Recent works include ‘A Hymn for Canterbury’ for the Canterbury Singers, and the cello piece ‘The Flycatcher’ for ‘More Time Pieces for Cello’ published by the Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music. www.thomashewittjones.com