The Burning of the Leaves a setting of a late poem by Laurence Binyon, was commissioned by the Fourth Triennial Weekend of English Song at Ludlow. Unfortunately, its originally scheduled first performance by James Rutherford, had to be cancelled due to illness. The performance took place on 5 June 2011 as part of ‘Celebrating English Song’, to be held at Tardebigge Church, Worcestershire.
Meanwhile, the first performance of the work in a version for voice and orchestra was given a week earlier, at the English Music Festival at Dorchester Abbey on 28 May 2011, by James Rutherford, with the English Symphony Orchestra, conducted by John Andrews.
Read a review of piano premiere.
Read a review of orchestral premiere.