An epic musica spanning a two hundred and fifty year history in which artists, philosophers and poets have asked the question.
A centuries old tradition has revealed the Poets as guardian spirits, witness to the mood of common people and the times in which they lived;
POETS, KINGS & CONSCIENCE is a musical work in which the composer has sought to capture the emotional feelings expressed within the poetry. A collection of original settings to music written for voice and instrumental accompaniment, it provides a powerful listening experience and the opportunity to reflect upon the times in which we ourselves live.
‘Seems just right for the Blake poetry, while coming from an unexpected direction’...’
Judith Weir, Composer
‘...an impressive piece of work, passionate and superbly put together ...very infectious....’
John Sugar, independent producer to the BBC
‘.....plaintive, beautiful, and powerful settings of some of Blake's most haunting and memorable songs and poems. Very striking. These are surely some of the most beautiful settings of Blake songs ever recorded.’
Rod Tweedy, Author
‘One of Blake's great gifts to the world is his 'Songs'..one of the most beautiful I have heard is by Guy Pearson. ‘
Tim Heath, Chair of The Blake Society
‘I think this is the first time that I've been prompted by a Blake cover to revisit thesource material..... Glad Day is an album that I'm very pleased to have in my library.....track 13, a cover of the Songs of Experience "Introduction" and "To Tirzah" is exquisite’
Paige Morgan, literary education
‘Pearson provides some extremely interesting interpretations designed to capture elements of Blake’s art or poetry.’
Jason Whittaker, Professor of Blake Studies, Falmouth
Poet and painter, prophet and visionary, William Blake remains one of the truly original, great British poets. Neglected in his own lifetime he died in poverty. He expressed a caring concern for his fellow man through his art and his legacy would be to inspire and guide the spirits of future generations.
GLAD DAY is a powerful and uplifting musical experience. Capturing the spirit of Blake’s work, it continues to champion one of London’s finest artists as an important and influential part of our cultural heritage and to celebrate this internationally loved and often misunderstood figure.
‘….something to both delight and set one thinking.
It’s concerts like this, at once enterprising and
informal that are the true spirit of music-making.
Guy Pearson is a composer, pianist and producer who has contributed to numerous soundtracks for theatre, documentary film & television.
His recording projects feature compositions for solo piano and original settings of poetry to music. Available albums on CD and digital platforms include, Somewhere Across The Water (issimo 2008), a collection of pieces for solo piano and GLAD DAY, (issimo 2010) an album based on the poetry of William Blake. Composed as a fantasy for piano, voice and orchestra, GLAD DAY has been praised, receiving a generous compliment from Judith Weir, composer and Master of the Queen’s music who commented ‘..it seems right for the Blake poetry whilst coming from an unexpected direction.’
Working with Polish theatre director Grzegorz Bral, Guy has composed music for three productions, including Tracy Letts ‘AUGUST: Ossage County’ (Teatr Studio, Warsaw, 2012) and ’Blackbird‘ by David Harrower, (Teatr Norwida, Jelenia Gora, 2013). He has composed for and performed with Bral’s award winning, internationally acclaimed Piesn Kosla (Song of the Goat) Theatre group in Wroclaw, Poland. ‘Portraits of the Cherry Orchard’, based on Chekhov’s classic, features an original score by Guy in collaboration with Polish composer, Maciej Richly. The production has been positvely reviewed and very well received at international theatre festivals in Wuhzen, China, Warsaw, Poland and recently in Georgia at the Tiblisi International Festival of Theatre.
2019 saw the completion of ‘POETS, KINGS & CONSCIENCE: Part II, Melencolia & I’ featuring the works of famous poets. Performances of 'Requiem For The Future’ will take place in 2022/23
Please check out the Events page for more information.