In This Place

Commissioned by Roger Muttitt for the 600th anniversary of Durham School in 2014, In this place is a setting of the composer’s own words and was first performed at a service of celebration in Durham Cathedral in June 2014. The text is a poem of renewal, with hints of spirituality, though without being explicitly sacred in content. Sumptuous harmonies dominate the music, with occasional divisi adding depth, especially in the bass section. With a mostly homophonic texture, the setting builds towards the thrilling final phrase ‘I will fly with angels’ with a sense of transformation. The close harmonies add an element of challenge, though well thought through voice-leading and some repetition make the work accessible to intermediate choirs. A beautiful addition to the choral repertoire, In this place is both a joy to sing and a delight for the listener.