The Justinus Ensemble recorded Emma’s latest composition, Mater Tenera, which is dedicated to Christina Noble. The lyrics are based on the Gospel of St. John and were translated and corrected by Yuri Robbers and Brian Fieldhouse.
The composition will be published in 2021 by Edition HH.
During the lockdown, Dutch theorboist Chrystel Brandenburgh invited Emma to work together on seventeenth-century repertoire. In between working on composers including Purcell and Monteverdi, they recorded two Christmas songs.
“Flappie” is a famous Dutch Christmas song by Youp van ‘t Hek. It tells the story of a child’s pet rabbit who mysteriously disappeared on Christmas day…
We also recorded the haunting “What Child is This?” – a setting of Greensleeves with lyrics by William Chatterton Dix.
With thanks to Kathinka de Ruiter, our director and producer.
Emma’s composition on the old Dutch text “Lof sy dat soete kindeken cleyn” was performed on Christmas Eve by the Pancras Consort as part of a Christmas broadcast on Unity TV from the Hooglandse Kerk in Leiden.
Wishing you a safe and happy Christmas!
Emma is delighted to feature again in the BBC Radio Nottingham’s Christmas Carol Service. Due to the lockdown, the BBC were unable to record a live service so they have chosen highlights from previous years. Emma was touched that her performance of ‘O Holy Night’ in 2017 was chosen as one of the highlights.
The carol service will be broadcast at 17:00 (UK time) on Christmas Eve and 10:00 (UK time) on Christmas Day, and it will be available afterwards on BBC Sounds and the BBC website.
Emma will feature in the Christmas Eve service of the Bethelkerk in Scheveningen, together with Maryse Kuiper (flute) and Marcel van Duyvenvoorde (piano), performing classical repertoire. The service includes pre-recorded performances from artists with a link to the church, including a pop choir, a singer-songwriter, and songs from the children in the congregation. The service is led by Ds. Gerco Lock. It promises to be a warm and uplifting broadcast.
Please note that the spoken language is Dutch.
20:00 (Dutch time), via this link
Emma is part of the project “Leiden viert Kerstmis” (Leiden celebrates Christmas), an online project to celebrate Christmas. She recorded Christmas music with bass Hans Brons and organist / pianist Anton Doornhein, which will be broadcast on Unity TV on Christmas Eve.
For readers outside of the Netherlands, here is one of the songs:
Her composition “Lof Sy dat Soete Kindeken Cleyn” will be included in the Dutch-language Nine Lessons and Carols on Christmas Eve, also on Unity TV.
For more information, please visit the “Leiden viert Kerstmis” website.
Photo: Ronald Hartsuiker
Emma was honoured to have sung at the funeral of Dutch veteran Paul Moerman. At age 104, he was the oldest Dutch veteran of the Second World War. He fought at the Battle of Ypenburg, eighty years ago. Emma met him at several veterans’ events, where he wore a placque with the names of his fallen companions.
The funeral, which was held at his church, had a strong military attendance including military pallbearers. Emma sang ‘Abide with Me’ as the coffin was carried out of the church. At the grave, the Taptoe Signal was played and we had a minute of silence. At the end of the ceremony, Emma sang ‘We’ll Meet Again.’
Rest in peace, Mr. Moerman.