Paradise Found - Becky McGlade

Composer’s note: "This piece was commissioned by Nick Hart of the Cornwall based choir Canoryon Lowen, for Sing Eden!2020, a music festival with environmental issues as its central theme. The health of the planet is clearly a global priority and concern. The gravity of the situation is reflected in the opening of the piece with its slow, nostalgic setting of the words ‘Paradise lost’. However, the text becomes more optimistic as the piece progresses, speaking of the glory of creation and the hope of paradise restored if we will fulfil our responsibility to care for it. This positivity is conveyed in the music, particularly at the climax of the piece where the upward rising melody sets the words ‘we can overcome’. There are many speed and time signature changes in the piece, but there should always be a feeling of flowing, forward movement."