Pott, Francis: In The Heart Of Things (Naxos Audio CD)  

Grace Davidson, soprano • Commotio • Matthew Berry
Mass for Eight Parts • Mary’s Carol • A Hymn to the Virgin • I Sing of a Maiden
Ubi caritas • Balulalow • Lament

Composer and pianist Francis Pott is the recipient of numerous prestigious awards. His dramatic and emotionally challenging music unites a distinctive personal voice with a versatile technique rooted in a keen awareness of the past. His Mass expands on tonal frames of reference from Byrd and Tallis,
incorporating a poignant Agnus Dei written as a memorial to Dr Anabela Bravo. Mary’s Carol and Lament are also tender commemorations, the latter for one of the quiet heroes of the Afghanistan conflict. These deeply expressive works give a distinctive modern voice to the timeless mysteries of human experience.

Francis Pott is new to Naxos, but has already established an international reputation through his choral and organ works – this new Mass for Eight Parts will be eagerly anticipated by his growing following.

Recipient of four national awards for composition, Francis Pott gained First Prize in the solo piano section of the Prokofiev International Composing Competition, Moscow in 1997. From 1991 to 2001 he was
John Bennett Lecturer in Music at St Hilda’s College, Oxford. In 2001 he became Head of London College of Music, University of West London, acceding in 2007 to the University’s first Chair of Composition.