In Flanders Fields - Review

Thursday 20 November 2014
In Flanders Fields

David's setting of the famous First World War poem In Flanders Fields, by Lt Col John McCrae, received its premiere last week by the Arcadian Singers, directed by Jacob Ewens, in the chapel of Keble College, Oxford. A review of the concert has been published by The Oxford Culture Review, where it was acclaimed that:

The indubitable highlight of the first half was David Allen’s setting of In Flanders Fields, which tapped into something of the same sound world as the Howells previously. The harmonies were ... well controlled and tight, and when combined with the clarity of the text coming through, made for a heartbreakingly beautiful rendition of the poem. To take such a familiar piece of writing at this time of year is a bold move, but the piece and its presentation left their mark truly enough – “we are the dead…” raised actual goosebumps even in the warmth of the Chapel, and another long silence, a rush of applause, and the unmistakable sound of people humming the primary motif of the piece made it a perfect end to the first half, establishing it as one of the highlights of the concert.

Read the full review of the concert on the Oxford Culture Review website.