Now out on Orchid Classics, is 'The Way of Light', a new album of music by Nigel Hess
 
It includes premiere recordings of orchestral works such as the scintillating A Celebration Overture, the ballet suite The Old Man of Lochnagar and the folk-song inspired The Lakes of Cold Fen; choral compositions such as Kyrie (arranged from his much-loved Ladies in Lavender), the spritely Benedictus and setting of The Song of Solomon Arise, My Love, plus works for wind band and for solo piano. It's a wonderful portrait and the ideal introduction to the music of one of the UK's most broadcast and performed composers.
 
Performers featured on the album include the BBC Concert Orchestra, BBC Singers, St Catharine's College Girls' Choir, The Central Band of the Royal Air Force, The Band of Her Majesty's Royal Marines Portsmouth, Piers Lane, Nicholas McCarthy, Metro Voices, Richard Balcombe, Sofi Jeannin, Sir Derek Jacobi and Eleanor Grant.
 
There's more about the album and sleeve notes at the Orchid Classics site.
 
From 8 February it was Album of the Week on Scala Radio, with Nigel being interviewed by Simon Mayo on his breakfast show there.