Voces 8

Stay With Me

This set of three short pieces forms a centerpiece for my album, Revolutions, which is the third in the trilogy of albums with VOCES8 and many special guests: Reflections; Renewal?; Revolutions.As you approach these three works, I would encourage you to spend time working on the lines of music in connection with the text. Rather like the looming clouds in Most Precious Light, there are dramatic climaxes and shades to be found, both in the darker moments aswell as the more radiant ones.In a world that seems to be filled with noise and with increasing conflict, I hope that these words and this music offer you a space to share a sense of friendship, and above all I hope that they encourage us to centre our attention on love, togetherness and community bothfor you with your choir and with audiences that experience this music with you.The final words of this set were originally written to be sung by my brother: ‘Love always within, and by my side’. There can be nothing better than to walk through life with loved ones by your side.—Paul Smith