Choral Symphony No.2: The Burning Road (Vocal Score)

Other Info:  Will Todd's Choral Symphony No. 2 (The Burning Road) with libretto by Ben Dunwell was commissioned by the Northampton Bach Choir in 1996 and is a Cantata based on the 1936 Jarrow March.

Reviews

”I had been sent a full orchestral score and choral score in advance to peruse, but nothing could prepare one for the sheer impact of this tumultuous work” Jill Barlow/ St Albans Observer / 2002

“...Todd's operatic experience ... gives it enough dramatic clout to draw the listener into the plight, hope and eventual disillusionment of the Marchers.” David Blewitt/ Opera/ 2000

“Todd's lyrical and serious language is fully in evidence in The Burning Road. This is only secondarily a political and nostalgic document. First and foremost it is a work of smoking sincerity and bitter heroic determination. A protest work but one that never loses touch with musical values.” Rob Barnett/ MusicWeb/ 1999

”[The Burning Road's] music is a gift for singing - paying dues to Messiaen, Vaughan Williams, Britten - but alive and energised and packing an emotional punch. Todd is someone who has begun to make a name for himself in community and West End contexts but is still waiting for his moment. It will come. The Burning Road is more than half way there.” Michael White/ The Independent on Sunday/ 1999

“If today's music can roughly be divided between the fiercely complex and that aiming for a wider appeal, the Durham-born Todd's is firmly of the latter, his technical accomplishments craftily subsumed into the larger dramatic sweep.” Thomas Hall/ The Journal, Newcastle / 1997