Chris's Requiem . . .

Christopher Cotton is Sotto Voce's accompanist, a highly talented pianist, organist, composer and arranger.  It was thus a great delight for us that Chris accepted Jackie Harmer's offer for Sotto Voce to make a new recording of his Requiem for voices, organ, horn and string orchestra.  After a great deal of hard work by many people, the project took place on Saturday, 19th March 2005 in the magnificent setting of St. John the Divine Church in Brooklands, Sale, to which our thanks. 

Pia Oliver, a highly respected violinist and orchestra leader and friend of many in the choir, undertook to bring together an group of her highly accomplished string playing friends, the core of whom were her newly formed Papovian Quartet (see ''Links' page).  They were joined by Lawrence Yates (horn) and Philip Underwood (organ).  Philip is renowned through the UK for his recitals.  Miranda Nichols, a member of Sotto Voce,  sang the soprano solo.

While we had the talents of Philip Underwood we also recorded, unseasonably, Chris's terrific arrangement for choir and organ of Ding, Dong! Merrily on high.

The recording team was Mark Almond and Paul White, and the project coordinated by Alan Gee, assisted by his wife Helen (catering!).

After a tiring but most enjoyable five or six hours, the recording was completed. 

A further recording session at William Hulme's Grammar School on 17th July 2005 produced more tracks for the CD including works by Chris Cotton, Eric Gregory and Richard Powell.