Another Portsmouth Triumph!

Portsmouth Cathedral has a reputation for commissioning new music and Sunday 4 October saw the first performance of Will Todd’s Portsmouth Jazz Missa Brevis at the Cathedral’s Patronal Festival Service.

Award winning British composer and jazz pianist Will Todd is perhaps best known for combining jazz and blues with traditional choral music. He has worked at the Royal Opera House, The Lincoln Center in New York, London’s Barbican and with leading choirs such as The Sixteen, The BBC Singers and Welsh National Opera.

The setting for the Jazz Missa Brevis uses the Cathedral Choir alongside a small jazz band made up of former choristers. Will says: “I’ve created a bluesy jazz waltz Kyrie, an up tempo Gloria, a 3/4 jazz ballad Sanctus, a Benedictus in 7/8 time and a soulful Agnus Dei.”

And the verdict?

“Great solos – I was blown away by this piece. Fabulous!”

“What a beautiful new Jazz Mass  premièred this morning by the Cathedral Choir. Encore please!”

And from Will:  “Thank you so much to the musicians and staff at Portsmouth Cathedral. You create an inspiring space to welcome all and made a joyous occasion yesterday for the first performance of my new mass. Thanks also to Boosey & Hawkes for the excellent editing and getting this piece to the church on time…Thank you thank you thank you!”