LAKELAND Composers are back on stage with a very special guest. On Sunday, May 4 (7.30pm) the popular group of writers return to the Brewery Arts Centre stage for the fourth year with a mixed programme of compositions, from Christopher Gibbs's jazzy and light Shades of Blue for recorder quartet and Robin Field's electro-acoustic Rohan Rides to Gondor featuring the evocative horn calls from Middle Earth's grassy plains, to Adrian Self's Dream Pilgrim set to a text by Ken Campbell from Carlisle (who wrote the libretto for the cantata Saint Cuthbert commissioned by the cathedral and performed there in 2001) and played by Adrian on piano and featuring the acclaimed voice of his wife, Pam.

The major highlight though promises to be the first performance of Ambleside composer Leslie Meurant's moving setting of Josefina de Vasconcellos' poem Star Rise Chorale from Shoah, on the subject of the Holocaust, and performed by mezzo-soprano Kathryn Johnson, with Leslie on piano.

Josefina needs little introduction as the first lady of sculpture, now aged 98.

Her outstanding work in St Paul's Cathedral in London, in Berlin, Coventry Cathedral, Hiroshima and Belfast, as well as in Cartmel Priory, Kendal Parish Church and many other Lakeland churches, has made her an international name.

Her delightful poetry has also won recognition and her biography by Margaret Lewis attracted a great deal of attention.

Since their inaugural concert at the Brewery in Millennium year, Lakeland Composers have gone from strength to strength, performing three or four concerts a year across the county and building a substantial following.

The Brewery concert sees Christopher Gibbs as MC interviewing each composer about his piece prior to its performance.

The group includes Roger Cann, Gary Higginson, Peter Wood, Jim Cooke, and Gerard Harrison whose works are also included in the concert's lush and lively landscape of sound.

Tickets are £7/ £6.50 concessions and are available at the box office, tel. 01539-725133.

April 24, 2003 09:30