Timothy Hamilton is a British composer, arranger and conductor who is known for his accessible and communicative writing style. His music is imaginative and stimulating, and is quite individual within its conservative character. His debut album Vision won widespread acclaim and firmly established him as an exciting and versatile composer.
Timothy's compositions include many choral and orchestral works, including several anthems and masses that are performed at various cathedrals, churches and concert venues throughout the UK, USA and Canada.
In 2012, Timothy founded Cantoribus, an exciting vocal ensemble comprising operatic voices with extensive choral training and experience. The result was a series of highly successful concert performances, culminating in the recording Vision, released on Stone Records in 2014. Achieving critical acclaim, it featured the group performing unaccompanied, with the majority of the pieces written by Timothy.
Also in 2012, Timothy was commissioned to compose a Requiem to commemorate the centenary of the start of World War 1. This work received its premiere at St. John's Wood Church on Remembrance Sunday 2014, albeit with small forces and abridged. In November 2015, 'Requiem' received its full premiere at St. Sepulchre-without-Newgate, London with full orchestra, chorus and international soloists, conducted by the composer. A week later, a recording of this work was made using the same musicians, produced by Adrian Peacock.
Timothy is also in demand as a composer and arranger for other genres, including film and TV, and has written music for companies as diverse as Nokia, Odgers Berndston and BNP Paribas.
Timothy Hamilton's Requiem, commissioned in 2012 to commemorate the centenary of World War I, is a powerful and moving work that blends traditional elements with contemporary sensibilities. The hour-long composition consists of twelve movements, drawing inspiration from the Roman liturgy while incorporating unique elements such as the inclusion of Isaac Watts' "Give us the wings of faith" and Psalm 91.
Hamilton's traditionally tonal and melodic style creates a work that is both accessible and emotionally resonant. Throughout the piece, Hamilton conjures vivid imagery depicting both the horrors of war and the calm aftermath of battle, interspersed with moments of somber reflection.
Requiem has been well-received, praised for its technical accomplishment, melodic gift, and ability to move listeners
The music for this album was written to reflect some of the feasts and seasons of the liturgical year. It is not meant to provide a chronological music ‘playlist’ for the year, rather it is intended that each piece be viewed as an individual reflection upon a certain theme.
When choosing the texts to set my music to, I have to admit that I was very much influenced by my choral upbringing. The majority of the texts coming from works that really left their mark on me when I was younger.
Salvator Mundi, Ave verum and Crucifixus all offer powerful representations of Christ’s death. Each setting, in its own way, utilises the immense power and control of the ensemble to vividly evoke the imagery of pain and suffering.
The prayers, Angele Dei, The Lord’s prayer, O sacrum convivium and The evening hymn, present four warm and evocative reflections, which allow the group’s beautiful timbre and expansive texture to shine through.
In remembrance commemorates the memory of all who have died in war – a particularly poignant theme for this year, the one-hundredth anniversary of the start of the First World War.
The Lord is my shepherd and Panis angelicus are written for upper voices only. The stunning blend of female voices lends an ethereal ambience to these contemplative hymns.
The inclusion of Stanford’s meditative motet, Beati quorum via, is an affectionate ‘nod’ back to a wonderful era in choral music. This exquisite six-part composition is widely regarded as one of Stanford’s finest works.