Behind the Scenes: Ryan Latimer's 'Speaking of Letters and Dancing'

The song cycle Speaking of Letters and Dancing uses three short poems to explore the effect of distance and proximity in a personal relationship, brought to life by mezzo-soprano Rosie Middleton and Loki Ensemble with conductor Daniele Rosina.

The first two movements use the texts of Polish poet and playwright Maria Pawlikowska-Jasnorzewska and explore the anticipation and anxiousness of receiving a long-awaited letter from a loved one with unexpectedly heart-breaking consequences, as well as the intimacy and joy of dancing with others. The song cycle Speaking of Letters and Dancing uses three short poems to explore the effect of distance and proximity in a personal relationship, brought to life by mezzo-soprano Rosie Middleton and Loki Ensemble with conductor Daniele Rosina. The collection concludes with Japanese poet Kobayashi Issa’s refined, compact poem Summer Night which depicts an evening so still that "even the stars, galaxies apart, might whisper intimately to each other." (Paul Conway)

Speaking of Letters and Dancing features on Ryan Latimer's forthcoming debut album Antiarkie which comes out on 24 September, and is available to preorder now.

Music by Ryan Latimer
Words by Maria Pawlikowska-Jasnorzewska
Translation by Barbara Bogoczek & Tony Howard

Rosie Middleton mezzo-soprano
Sameeta Gahir flute
Jack McNeill clarinet
Adrian Spillett percussion
Siwan Rhys piano
David Le Page violin
Clare O'Connell cello
Daniele Rosina conductor

Antiarkie is the latest in our Debut Discs series. NMC’s Debut Discs are crucial calling cards, invaluable for showcasing composers to a wider public, giving them the opportunity to present a first full portrait album of their work. Debut Discs has to date supported 20 releases.

NMC's Discover platform is created in partnership with ISM Trust.