Invocations Apollo5

• 1 Joel: And So It Goes (arr. Fraser Wilson & Apollo5) 02:56
• 2 John: Your Song (arr. Matt Greenwood) 04:17
• 3 Withers: Ain't No Sunshine (arr. Fraser Wilson) 06:02
• 4 Gjeilo: Ubi Caritas 03:44
• 5 Kent: I Know I Dream (arr. Fraser Wilson) 05:31
• 6 Hart, Rodgers: With a Song In My Heart (arr. Matt Greenwood) 04:07
• 7 Wilson: Invocation 06:10
• 8 Purcell: The Plaint (arr. Fraser Wilson) 08:35
• 9 Byrd: Mass for Five Voices: Agnus Dei 03:14
• 10 Telles: Chan Chan (arr. Fraser Wilson & Apollo5) 04:15
• 11 Burns: Ae Fond Kiss (arr. Fraser Wilson & Apollo5) 04:05
• 12 Gershwin, Gershwin: Summertime (arr. Matt Greenwood) 04:25
• 13 Wilson: The Last Rose of Summer (arr. Fraser Wilson) 05:05
• 14 Thiele: What a Wonderful World (arr. Fraser Wilson) 04:01
• Total Runtime 01:06:27

Info for Invocations

Celebrating the release of the album of the same name, Invocations is the culmination of Apollo5’s work with its Associate Composer and pianist, Fraser Wilson. Born out of the group’s desire to share fragments of their life stories with audiences, the performance encourages listeners to discover their own ‘life music’.

In an evocative weaving of singing and sharing, the performers present the stories of their lives. If any person were asked for their favourite music it would become evident that behind each piece is a story, a glimpse into part of their lives, a fragment of personality and a thread of tale. A hope, a dream, a regret, a memory, an emotion, a wish. Assembling the six musicians most cherished songs and texts and blending them with newly composed and arranged material, creates a powerfully evocative programme which is both nostalgic and new.

Much of Fraser’s recent career has been spent putting traditional folksongs into new contemporary clothing - Apollo5 mirrors this, blending centuries’ worth of contrasting music into imaginative concert and recording programmes. At a fundamental level the group believes that music brings people together, showing their common ground. Through ‘invoking’ their own personal stories in music, the six musicians invite others to consider the same.

Apollo5
Fraser Wilson, piano

Apollo5
The international award-winning British vocal ensemble Apollo5 delights audiences with versatile and engaging performances on the concert platform, singing repertoire ranging from renaissance, classical and contemporary choral music to folk, jazz and pop.

Frequently performing in their home city of London they have sung in venues including the Royal Albert Hall, Kings Place (London A Cappella Festival), the Barbican, the Houses of Parliament and Wembley Arena. They regularly give concerts at their home in the heart of the City of London, the Gresham Centre.

As well as concerts across the UK Apollo5 has enjoyed giving performances internationally. Last season the five outstanding vocalists undertook a month-long debut tour of the USA and in 2016 they made their south Asian debut, taking part in the Taipei International Choral Festival. Over the last two years they have given performances in Italy, Germany, Holland and France. This season includes international performances in France (Via Aeterna Music Festival), Poland (for La Folle Journée) and a collaboration with the Academy of Ancient Music.

Apollo5 is part of the VCM Foundation, and leads its innovative education programme aiming to inspire creativity through music. Working alongside vocal ensemble VOCES8 and Paul Smith the programme reaches 40,000 young people annually in the UK, Germany, France, Sweden, the USA and Asia. The Foundation has its home at the Gresham Centre, at St Anne and St Agnes Church. In partnership with the Diocese of London, VCM has established a hub for excellence in education, outreach and the performance of vocal music. Last season saw the first Gresham Centre Festival in which the group performed with VOCES8 and the VOCES8 Scholars.

Apollo5 leads regular workshops, masterclasses, and a children’s concert series at the Gresham Centre, as well as longer term projects and residency programmes. The group oversees an extensive outreach project called the Open Mind Programme in Hackney, Tower Hamlets and Newham. Now in its third year, the Open Mind Programme has received support from Arts Council England, The Merchant Taylors’ Company and the Worshipful Company of Plaisterers. The education programme is also supported by Holman Fenwick Willan and the Ernest Cook Trust.

Apollo5 has released albums with VCM Records, including “The Spirit Like a Dove”, music by Josquin des Prez performed with the Ingenium Ensemble which was Number 4 in the UK Classical Chart, and “With a Song in my Heart”, an album of folk, jazz and pop. Also released is “Journey” on the Edition Peters Sounds label featuring the group with former King’s Singer Paul Phoenix. A new album “O Radiant Dawn”, which explores the human journey through birth, love, struggle, the end of life and reflection will be released in May 2019.

Apollo5 will start to publish its musical arrangements with Edition Peters this year.

This album contains no booklet.