The Phoenix Mass was conceived in 1965, although the Sanctus and Angus Dei were not written down until 1969. As its name implies, it marks a resurgence of creative activity after a fallow period. In thewordsof the composer, 'It is a record of spiritual rather than denominationally religious experience'.
This work (for SATB chorus, trumpets and trombones) was first performed by the BBC Chorus and the Philip Jones BrassEnsemble,conducted by John Poole, in a broadcast on BBC radio 3 on October 2, 1973.
Score.