Toilers of the Elements

Barrett's new Percussion Concerto Toilers of the Elements received a standing ovation at the premiere in a packed Plymouth Guildhall.

Dame Evelyn Glennie described the piece as 'A wonderful new concerto which explores the real subtlety and musicality of percussion playing in relation to the string orchestra'. She continues: 'James Barrett allows the performers to delve into so much more than what the written page can project. He injects this need for us all, performers and audience alike, to use all our senses to participate in the piece'.

Michael Church of The Independent wrote: 'The work needed no crutch. Having explored Glennie's arsenal, Barrett had settled for a lovely combinaton of Vibes, Marimba, tam-tams, "waterphones", and a mellow-toned "Hapi" drum. The dialogue between soloist and orchestra was by turns lyrical and explosive. The orchestral writing had a Stravinskyan tinge, while the solo part gave full scope to Glennie's virtuosity: this "Fantasy for Percussion and Strings" deserves to be heard again soon.'

Date: 10/05/2010

New work for Wells Cathedral Choir

Barrett has agreed to write a new choral piece for the choir at Wells Cathedral for November 2010.

The composition, for choir and organ, with the working title Piscator hominum or Fisher of Men, will be an anthem for St. Andrew's Day (30 November), St. Andrew being the patron saint of the cathedral.

The choir is generally accepted to be one of the finest cathedral choirs in the world.

Date: 10/05/2010