Composer Nigel Clarke recently returned to London to work alongside Brass Band Buizingen’s virtuoso flugel horn soloist Sebastien Rousseau and the Longbow String Ensemble for the recording of his new concertino, ‘The Scarlet Flower’, inspired by the story of British nurse Edith Cavell’s last hours before her execution by firing squad during the First World War.

Commission

The commission came through Nigel’s close association with Buizingen’s Musical Director Luc Vertommen and features Sébastien accompanied by the 13 piece ensemble conducted by his great friend, renowned violinist, Peter Sheppard Skaerved.

The recording also includes the composer’s string work, 'Dogger, Fisher . . .', and was funded by public donation through the innovative ‘Kickstarter’ scheme.

Clarion call

Cavell was arrested and sentenced to death in October 1915, after helping 200 British soldiers escape from occupied Belgian territory, although it was acknowledged by both sides of the conflict that she had also helped hundreds of wounded allied and German soldiers.

Her famous clarion call: "Patriotism is not enough. I must have no hatred or bitterness towards anyone," are inscribed on her commemorative statue in St Martin's Place, near Trafalgar Square in London.

Tooting

The recording took place at All Saints Church, Tooting, where the composer was joined by Luc Vertommen together with various donors and supporters of the project.

Despite the modern day interruptions of overhead passenger planes, twittering birds and even a couple of noisy local authority bin men, the artists worked together to produce a wonderful recording, before Nigel, Luc and Sebastien faced a quick dash across London to St Pancras for the train in order to get back to Belgium in time for Buizingen’s band practice that night!

Calibre

Just before they caught their cab, Nigel told 4BR: "I feel it is such a great privilege to work with artists of this calibre.

I’ve collaborated with Peter Skaerved Sheppard for many years, probably creating my best work, but it was a new joy to work with Sebastien and combine the flugel horn and strings."

I’ve collaborated with Peter Skaerved Sheppard for many years, probably creating my best work, but it was a new joy to work with Sebastien and combine the flugel horn and stringsNigel Clarke

Wonderfully well

He added: "We do not know of any other work that brings these two elements together — and I think it works wonderfully well, especially when performed by such wonderful musicians."