Sinfonia (2007)
i Quietly & oddly
ii Warmly
iii Boisterous

Heiligenstadt (2005): Quietly and dreamlike L'istesso tempo Very energetic Very gently

Weathers (2007) BCH
Words: Thomas Hardy (1840-1928)
i Weathers (Starting slowly and quietly Bright and steady, but never dragged)
ii Song (Ecstatic)
iii From: She Hears the Storm (Fast and wild)
iv At Day-Close in November (Calm and quiet)
v From: Domicilium (A tempo)

Secret Destinations (2005)
Dedicated to Charles Causley (1917-2003)
i Part 1 Rushing the Stone Horizon (Always moving)
ii Part 2 Sfumato
iii Part 3 Eden Rock (Slowly More than twice as fast)

World Premiere Recordings

Dominic Wheeler (conductor)
Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra
BCH Bournemouth Symphony Chorus

Recorded: Lighthouse, Poole, Dorset, 24-25 July 2012

This CD celebrates Stephen McNeff's period from 2005-2008 as the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra's Composer in the House, an inspired, groundbreaking scheme initiated and funded by the Royal Philharmonic Society and the PRS for Music Foundation. It features four varied, colourful works McNeff composed during his residency. The diverting Sinfonia was composed as a concert opener and hearkens back to the 18th century symphonies of William Boyce. Heiligenstadt was composed at Marin Alsop's request for a work to precede Beethoven's Fifth Symphony, McNeff responding with a work inspired by Beethoven's struggles to come to terms with his increasing deafness. Weathers was conceived for the Bournemouth Symphony Chorus and the BSO and sets Thomas Hardy's poetry. In an atmospheric sequence, the work evokes an imaginary journey by the poet as he contemplated the changing Dorset landscapes in different seasons and weathers. Secret Destinations is McNeff's personal, moving tribute to his friend, the poet Charles Causley, an evocation of a friend pictured within. The performances are conducted by Dominic Wheeler, a staunch advocate of McNeff's music. World premiere recordings.

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“These world premiere recordings of McNeff’s bejewelled music are conducted by Dominic Wheeler – a staunch advocate of McNeff’s music. The sound is superbly put across by the Dutton engineers.” Rob Barnett, MusicWeb International, April 2013

“Performances are … confident, energetic and expressive.” “The recordings are excellent.” Stephen Johnson, BBC Music Magazine