The Wells Service

Born in Chester in 1947, Howard Skempton has worked as a composer, accordionist, and music publisher. Renowned for the distinctive clarity of his musical language, he has composed over 300 pieces, many of which are miniatures for solo piano or accordion. His orchestral and instrumental works have been recorded by, among others, the BBC Symphony Orchestra and Ensemble Bash. In recent years, Skempton has concentrated increasingly on writing vocal and choral music; his choral commissions include works for the BBC Singers and the Belfast Philharmonic Society. He is currently an Honorary Professor of Music at De Montfort University.

Although ostensibly simple - indeed deliberately simplistic - the choral writing requires considerable care in its execution . . . Ferial in its design, Skempton's Magnificat perfectly suits the specific requirements of a Magnificat setting within an advent carol service, in which context Skempton's gift for understatement and restraint would be peculiarly effective.