Emma’s composition “I Sing of a Maiden” has been published by Edition HH and is available here.

They write: “This simple eight-part setting of a fifteen-century text has a timeless quality and is a fitting addition to the Christmas repertoire. The haunting melody captures the spirit of this ancient text, whilst lullaby patterns and cascading figures for the April dew place the composition firmly in the twenty-first century. It would make a beautiful addition to a Christmas concert or carol service, as well as providing a touching moment of spiritual reflection during Midnight Mass.”

On 15th August, 1945, the Second World War finally ended when Imperial Japan surrendered.

It is estimated that between 70 and 85 million people died in the Second World War through conflict, war-related disease, and famine. In spite of this, there has not been a moment of prolonged world peace since the conflict.

This year is the 75th anniversary of the end of the war, and we take time to reflect about those who fought, died, were captured as prisoners or war, or survived and lived with trauma for the rest of their lives.

The Justinus Ensemble recorded Brian Fieldhouse’s arrangement of ‘Abide with Me’ of the virtual VE-Day remembrance ceremony in Hay on Wye, Wales. This recording was made in the Netherlands during the lockdown, in compliance with the government guidance on safety during the pandemic.

In first weekend of August, there was to be a festival in Hay on Wye to mark seventy-five years since the end of the Second World War.

Due to the pandemic, the live festival was replaced with a video, which includes a remembrance ceremony and performances of music from the Second World War.

Emma recorded several songs for the video together with Brian Fieldhouse and the Justinus Ensemble, including this version of “Cwm Rhondda,” arranged by Brian Fieldhouse.