Jo Kent & BBC South Today News broadcast “live” from St Peter’s Church, Parkstone with artist, composer & musical director Richard McLester and Rector Father Michael Camp.
The artistic installation, titled Lumin-Essence is a giant advent wreath (measuring 4 metres in diameter) evoking memories of the fallen during the world wars.
Designed by Richard McLester specifically for Christmas 2014 (and the centenary of the First World War), presenter Jo Kent delves deeper into the story behind the artwork and community.
The project has been proudly sponsored by Coleman Insurance Brokers & Lumin-Essence Candle & Gifts Shop.
Performed by the choristers of Wimborne Minster, conducted by David Gostick and written by Sam Hanson, An Evening Cantata takes it’s inspiration from the service of Choral Evensong.
The work is written for 4 part choir, childrens choir, piano and organ. It was commissioned as a major project for Wimborne Minster.
Combining virtuoso piano playing with children’s choirs, the work includes two major extended musical settings of the Passion of Jesus and The Exodus Of The Israelites (including piano variations).
Conical Sphere Music recorded, engineered and manufactured the project, which is now available for sale online and in Wimborne Minster.
For Carols By Candlelight 2013 at St Peter’s Parkstone, Richard McLester created a giant tabernacle that raised up out of the congregation.
The tabernacle, which was built in 5 sections included a centre made out of concentric squares which meant that when the structure was raised up, the cloth fell away and revealed a large wooden crib in the centre of the church.
The aim was to invite the community to actively experience walking into the tabernacle and place their cloth into the manger, which many also said reminded them of the stable in Bethlehem…
Composer, Musician and Artist Richard McLester has launched his new website www.richardmclester.com.
The website includes photos from previous projects including the Piano In The Sea peformance art and As The Star Appears, as well as details of other works and compositions.
His most recent composition, May Our Hearts Burn Within Us has been written especially for the induction and installation of Rev. Michael Camp (former Senior Chaplain to Archbishop of Canterbury, Rowan Williams) on 26th July 2013 at St Peter’s Parkstone.
Watch artist and musician Richard McLester explain how they built the giant star sculpture in St Peter’s, Parkstone for Carols By Candlelight 2012.
Features clips from As The Star Appears, sung by Alexandra Wehlau. The CD and sheet music is available to buy from our online shop.
On the evening of 9th December 2012, a spectacular service of Carols By Candlelight at St Peter’s, Parkstone in Poole, Dorset saw the premier of new Christmas carol, As The Star Appears written by Richard McLester.
The carol, written for four-part choir was performed by St Peter’s, Parkstone Parish Choir accompanied by Richard McLester on piano and conducted by Kylie Hutchings.
Beginning with a beautiful duet, the carol is split into 3 stanzas with the final stanza repeating the words from the first.
The whole service was based around the theme of the Nativity Star as a symbol of Hope to the world.
To that effect, Richard McLester also designed a huge star that hung above the congregation.
Built by Richard and a dedicated team of members from the church youth group and choir, the star provided a stunning visual of shapes and light.
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The carol is available on CD recorded by both Richard McLester and soprano soloist & Head Chorister of St Peter’s, Parkstone, Alexandra Wehlau.
Accompanying the carol on the CD are 5 reflective improvisations on Christmas Carols performed by Richard McLester on solo piano.
To buy either As The Star Appears on CD or as sheet music, do visit our online shop here.
Conical Sphere Records has now been rebranded as Conical Sphere Music.
This is to reflect more accurately the wider scope of the work we now do.
Please feel free to browse our new website, or to browse the other companies associated under the Conical Sphere Group umbrella at www.conicalsphere.com