Review of 2014

2014 was a successful (and busy) year for me, with more performances than ever before, great reviews, broadcasts and commissions. The highlight of the year was the release of Phillip Cooke, Choral Music in April on Regent Records - the CD has had unanimous good reviews (which has been a huge shock to me!) and has already opened some new doors for me. The book I co-edited The Music of Herbert Howells (which was published in October 2013) also had extremely good reviews (apart from a miserable one on Amazon...) which has been hugely edifying. It has been a year of organ music with new works broadcast on BBC Radio 3 Choral Evensong and featured in the London Festival of Contemporary Church Music and Sound Festival in Aberdeen. My early organ work Elegy (2003) has been performed across the country and a new work for pedals only was premiered in August. Works have been performed in Canterbury, Ely and St Paul's Cathedrals and in many other towns and cities across the country. My liturgical music continues to be performed with six performances of my first service, two of the second and the premiere of my third. December was my busiest month with twelve performances across the country. It's not easy making performances in London whilst living in Aberdeen, but I made it to four, which was great. 2015 promises to be just as busy with my new oratorio being premiered in Chester Cathedral in November and various new works in the pipeline. I'll also begin my book on James MacMillan which will keep me busy. All the best for 2015! PAC