ON two occasions DR MARTIN NEARY has played a role in delivering musical events witnessed by millions.
The first occasion was in the musical arrangements for the funeral services of PRINCESS DIANA in 1997, when Dr Neary was the organist and choirmaster at Westminster Abbey.
The second was during the final minutes of 1999, when he conducted a choral work from London's Millennium Dome, which was beamed via satellite around the planet.
In both instances he had programmed the music of 20th century English composer JOHN TAVENER to evoke in listeners a sense of hope for the future.
Next Wednesday, July 26, at Newcastle City Hall, Dr Neary will conduct the ENGLISH CHAMBER SINGERS and the AUSTRALIAN YOUTH CHOIR in a program that includes Tavener's millennium work A New Beginning.
Dr Neary is as passionate about the work of new composers as he is about the works of long-dead composers such as BACH and BRAHMS, which will also be performed next week.
'What we're trying to do is bring out a whole lot of music which is part familiar and not so familiar, sort of a nice mix,' he said.
'People think that there is this great age in the past in Britain in the Elizabethan age, but I also think there is a second flowering in the second Elizabethan age.'
'British composers (such as) BENJAMIN BRITTEN (and) Tavener, have actually come into their own in the second half of the 20th century.'
Dr Neary is particularly passionate about the music of Tavener.
'When I was organist at Westminster Abbey I programmed a particular piece of his called SONG FOR ATHENE for the funeral of Princess Diana,' he said.
'It had a radiant quality that lifted people's spirits and wasn't just all sad.'
'He's got this ability to write melodies which seem to be accessible and yet not boring. His music is much appreciated now throughout the world.'
TE has five double passes to THE ENGLISH CHAMBER SINGERS to give away.
To go in the draw mail an envelope, with your name, address and telephone number on the back, to ENGLISH CHAMBER SINGERS GIVEAWAY, PO Box 615, Newcastle, 2300.
Or enter on-line at www.nnp.com.au TE
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