I have been extremely fortunate to have been championed by John Studzinski and his Genesis Foundation and to have been consistently supported by such a perceptive individual and organisation. Artists need support for their voices to be heard and I am grateful and humbled by the opportunities Genesis have offered me. I was commissioned by the Genesis Foundation to write Among angels for performance by Harry Christophers and The Sixteen in Salzburg in celebration of John’s 50th birthday. This was the beginning of our relationship and I’ll never forget my first meeting with John when he quizzed me in depth about angels, choral textures and many other things both musical and spiritual. I came away with my head reeling but determined to create as strong a piece of choral music as possible. I wanted it to be worthy of John, but also for the music to be as expressive as possible and to touch people, and as someone with a lifelong love of choral music that opportunity to work with a top quality chamber choir like The Sixteen was a dream come true. Among angels has gone on to be one of my most popular and critically acclaimed compositions, with several recordings and many performances since the premiere in 2006.

From that first commission followed OperaGenesis workshops at the Royal Opera House of my opera Pusila, leading to a second Genesis commission. This was for a choral piece based on a Padre Pio prayer Stay with me, Lord also performed by Harry Christophers and The Sixteen, this time at a packed Westminster Cathedral alongside Padre Pio commissions from James MacMillan and Roxanna Panufnik. It gives me immense satisfaction that the Padre Pio CD has received praise from around the world and that my setting has been performed and enjoyed by choirs and congregations all over the country.

My friendship and collaboration with John Studzinski and the Genesis Foundation has been inspiring and nurturing. Quite simply, neither commission included on this recording could have been brought to life without their vision and support. On this disc these pieces are paired with other favourites from my choral repertoire, in several cases featuring new arrangements for the recording.

Will Todd © 2012