News

Harpsichord premiere and other autumn performances

Fantasia for Katarzyna for solo harpsichord receives its premiere on Tuesday October 20th, 7pm, Colet House, London W14 9DA. The concert, 'Meditations for Harpsichord' is the  culmination of  Katarzyna Kowalik's project. There are eight commissions, a cd recording and a book, published by Vision Edition. Ms Kowalik gives a further performance in Warsaw on October 24th.

On October 31st, Robert Finegan is playing Ervallagh for solo saxophone, in the Bloomsbury festival: 7pm, Keeley St, London WC2.

Aisling Casey is playing Soliloquy for solo oboe on November 9th at Splendor, Amsterdam; and on November 12th in Heuvellaan, Hilversum.

Friday July 3rd 2026 - performances

 On Friday July 3rd, the singers of Corra Sound, director Amy Bebbington, will perform movements of my Rossetti Songs, for women's voices. The concert is at Holy Trinity Church, Guildford.

Also on Friday July 3rd, Peter Sheppard Skaervard plays my Prelude after Grinling Gibbons, for solo violin. The concert is at 6.30 in the Gallery of Tremenheere Sculpture Gardens, in Cornwall.

Airs and Fanfares for youth orchestra - Brighton Festival

The Brighton and East Sussex Youth Orchestra gave a spirited performance of Airs and Fanfares at the Brighton Dome on May 11th 2026.  The orchestra was directed by Peter Davison and the concert was part of the Brighton Festival.

Moon over Humber (SATB) premiere

 The Chapter House Choir of York Minster, director Ben Morris, gave a fine performance of 'Moon over Humber' at their anniversary concert on Saturday April 18th.

April news

 Ervallagh for solo saxophone is played by Robert Finegan on April 9th. His lunchtime concert is at B of I Theatre, University of Galway. 

The British Music Society of York have appointed me as their President.

The premiere of Moon over Humber, commissioned by the Chapter House Choir of York Minster, is on Saturday April 18th, 7.30pm, at the Minster.

Review of 'Be still, my soul' in BBC Music Magazine

 In a review of ORA singers new album, Songs of Angels, the reviewer wrote

'The haunting beauty of Nicola LeFanu's Be still, my soul is a sublime response to [Gibbons] aching, yet assuaging O Lord in thy Wrath.' 

Chamber music performances, March/April 2026

Saturday March 21st:
Songs without Words (clarinet and string trio) - Gemini, 7.30pm, Cromer New Music, Norfolk.
Also Saturday March 21st: A Postcard and a Letter, and A Birthday Card (solo piano) - David Hammond piano, 1.00pm, Late Music York.

Saturday April 11th: Nocturne (cello and piano) and Lullaby (clarinet and piano) - Amabile trio, 7.30 pm, Late Music York. 

Be Still my Soul released on new ORA Singers recording

 ORA Singers, director Suzi Digby,  have released a new album 'Songs of Angels'. It includes Be Still my Soul (SSAATB) in a beautiful performance, along with Orlando Gibbons recordings and other new works. The album is on Orchid Classics, ORC 100423

https://www.orasingers.com/albums


New Anthem for Westminster Abbey, Sunday March 1st 2026

Westminster Abbey have commissioned a new anthem from me, and will sing it for the first time at Evensong, 3pm on Sunday March 1st. "Hand in Hand to Heaven"for SATB a cappella, sets a poem by George Herbert in praise of Sundays.

St Ita's Lullaby

 Several beautiful performances of my carol St Ita's Lullaby, this Christmas: notably in York Minster (the Chapter House Choir) and in Waterford Cathedral (Ad Hoc choir.) 

Find it on YouTube!