“Park has a desire to test and stretch the borders of conventional tonality and metre, but also to etch out the contrast by resolving back into broodingly conventional triadic harmonies and regular pulse.” – The Arts Desk
“Exciting, inventive, vibrant” – MusicWeb International
“One of the UK’s finest young composers” – ClassicFM
Owain’s compositions are published by Novello and have been performed internationally by ensembles including The Tallis Scholars and Aurora Orchestra. While at Cambridge University he studied orchestration with John Rutter, before undertaking a Masters degree in composition. He is Composer-in-Residence with the London Choral Sinfonia, and was one of BBC Radio 3’s 31 under 31 Young Stars.
Commissioning
If you are interested in commissioning Owain to write a piece of music, Kate Johnson at Wise Music Classical would be delighted to hear from you. kate.johnson@wisemusic.com | +44 (0)7920 197 354 | wisemusicclassical.com
A Babe is Born (2023) – SATB Read More Setting words from a manuscript in Westminster Abbey Library, A babe is born joyfully exclaims ‘And Jesus is his name’. Publisher: Oxford University Press Recordings: The Oxford Choir Duration: 01:45
A Gaelic Blessing (2021) – SATB Read More Commissioned by Louth Choral Society and first performed on 10th April 2022 in St James’s Church, Louth, by Louth Choral Society conducted by Allan Smith. Publisher: Novello Duration: 02:30
Ave Regina Caelorum (2017) –SATB Read More About: Dating from 2017, this a short work for unaccompanied mixed voices sets the Marian antiphon sung at the Liturgy of the Hours at the close of compline during the period from the Feast of the Presentation through to Maundy Thursday. Publisher:Novello Duration: 03:30
Awake my soul (2019) – SATB Read More Anthem composed for Wells Cathedral Choir, and dedicated to Iain Ball MBE, Chairman of the Wells Cathedral Chorister Trust 2004–2015 Listen | Score Duration: 04:00
Five Carols (2021) – SATBRead More Programme Note:Adam lay ybounden is a setting of medieval English words, and is perfect as a seasonal introit. The Holy Child and A Winter Bloom are settings of words by contemporary British poets, Georgia Way and Hannah King, which both offer a reflective take on the festive period. Here is the little door was composed for readers of the BBC Music Magazine, and captures the wonder of Frances Chesterton’s text – at first meditative and subdued before becoming more colourful and lively. I Wonder as I Wander is a reworking of an existing piece scored for larger choir (NOV297385). The wistful melody has the character of a folk song, with mellifluous writing for the accompanying voices Publisher:Novello Recordings:Cambridge Chorale; Owain Park Duration: 12:00
It is finished (2020) – SATB divisi Read More Commissioned by Max Barley, Sarah Colley and the Choir of St Mary’s, Wimbledon, as part of the choir’s “Seven Last Words from the Cross” project. Publisher:Novello Recordings:The Gesualdo Six Duration: 04:00
Night Prayer (2020) – SATB Read More Night Prayer was written by Owain Park during isolation, and is designed to be performed by singers brought together from afar. The music is based on the ancient chant, Te lucis ante terminum (Before the ending of the day), with the melodies set against gently hummed textures and slow-moving harmonies. Publisher:Novello Recordings:The Gesualdo Six; Tenebrae Duration: 04:30
O magnum mysterium (2019) – Soprano solo with SATB Read More Commissioned by Rundfunkchor Berlin for its annual Christmas Concert on 21 December 2019, conducted by Benjamin Goodson Publisher:Novello Recordings:Tenebrae Duration: 05:00
O send out thy light (2022) – Solo voice with SATB Read More Composed for The Gesualdo Six’s Epiphany Concert Series in 2022 Recordings:The Gesualdo Six Duration: 02:30
Preces and responses (2019) – SATB Read More Commissioned by Alexander Ross for Kirsty Ross. First performed by Stephen Layton and The Choir of Trinity College Cambridge Duration: 06:00
Shakespeare Love Songs (2013) –SATB divisi Read More 1. Love is a Smoke / 2. Love, whose month is ever May / 3. So sweet a kiss / 4. When love speaks Commissioned by The Maesbury Singers and Iain MacLeod-Jones Publisher:Novello Recordings:Trinity Consort (live) • The Epiphoni Consort (2020) Duration: 10:00
Shakespeare Songs of Night-time (2014)–SATB divisi Read More 1. Light thickens / 2. Weary with toil / 3. Now it is the time of night / 4. Let fall the windows of thine eyes / 5. Be not afeard / 6. The Cloud Capp’d Towers Commissioned by Stephen Layton and The Holst Singers Recordings:The Epiphoni Consort (2020) Duration: 20:00
Welcome (2022) – SATB & ATTBarBB choirs Read More Commissioned by the University of St Andrews for St Salvator’s Chapel Choir. First performed at the McPherson Recital Room on Friday 8 April 2022. Duration: 05:00
Antiphon for the Angels (2018)–SSAATTBB with violin solo Read More Commissioned by Rachel Podger and VOCES8 for ‘A Guardian Angel’ tour, 2018. First performed on March 27, 2018 at St George’s, Bristol, by Rachel Podger and VOCES8. Publisher: Novello Duration: 07:30
Gentle Mary laid her child (2017) – SATB with piano Read More Commissioned by Wimbledon Choral Society and Neil Ferris Publisher:Novello Duration: 04:00
God is gone up (2019) – SATB with organRead More Commissioned by St David’s Cathedral and Oliver Waterer Duration: 04:00
Mairi’s Wedding (2013) – SATB with piano Read More Commissioned by Frikki Walker and Bearsden Choir Text by Sir Hugh S. Robertson Publisher: Novello Duration: 04:00
Remember (2018) – SATB with organ Read More Written for the Choirs of Pembroke College, Cambridge, for performance on the centenary of the Armistice that ended World War 1. Publisher: Novello Duration: 07:00
Salisbury Canticles (2020) – SATB with organ Read More Commissioned by Salisbury Cathedral. Publisher: Novello Duration: 08:00
Sing to me, windchimes (2018) – SATB with piano Read More Commissioned by Louth Choral Society in 2017. First performed by St James’s Church, Louth, Lincolnshire, on Sunday 22 April 2018, conducted by Owain Park and accompanied by David Parker. The work sets text by Lyva Marty, A. E. Housman, Stella Benson, Alice Meynell and Sara Teasdale. Publisher:Novello Recordings:The Epiphoni Consort (2020) Duration: 20:00
The Testimony of St John (2024) – AATTBB with chamber organ Read More First performed at St John’s Smith Square by The Gesualdo Six & Richard Gowers on organ in May 2024. Duration: 05:00
Trinity Te Deum (2019) –SATB with brass, organ and percussion (or organ) Read More Commissioned by Trinity College Cambridge for the Installation of Dame Sally Davies as Master of Trinity College on Tuesday 8 October 2019. Version for brass first performed at the Installation Ceremony in Trinity College Chapel by The Choir of Trinity College Cambridge, Trinity Brass, Luke Fitzgerald (organ) and Stephen Layton (conductor). Listen | Watch Publisher:Novello Duration: 6:30
While Shepherds Watched (2010)–SATB with organ (or string quartet) Read More Commissioned by David Ogden and Holy Trinity Church, Westbury-on-Trym Recordings:Wells Cathedral School Chapel Choir (video) Duration: 03:30
Upper voices
As now the sun’s declining rays (2012) – SS a cappella Read More Commissioned by Wells Cathedral Choir and Matthew Owens Duration: 02:00
Preces and Responses (2013) –Upper voices with organ Read More Commissioned by Diocesan Choirs Association of Wells and Bath Duration: 04:30
The Poppy Red (2018) – Upper voices and military band Read More Commissioned by the Military Wives Choirs to commemorate the centenary of 1918, the end of the First World War. Publisher: Novello Recording: The Military Wives Choir Duration: 04:30
The Tyger (2019) –SSA with piano Read More Commissioned by Graham and Alison Noakes for Farnham Youth Choirs Publisher: Novello Recording: Epiphoni Consort Duration: 04:30
Lower voices
Fantasia on English Children’s Songs (2013) –ATTBB Read More Commissioned by Opus Anglicanum and John Rowlands-Pritchard Recordings:Opus Anglicanum Duration: 10:00
Lully, lulla (2012)–ATB divisi Read More Commissioned by Wells Cathedral Choir and Matthew Owens Publisher:Novello Recordings:Wise Music Classical Duration: 03:00
On the Infancy of our Saviour (2014) – ATTBB Read More Commissioned by Opus Anglicanum and John Rowlands-Pritchard Publisher:Novello Recordings:The Gesualdo Six (video) Duration: 04:30
Prière pour Marie (2023) – AATTBB Read More Composed for The Gesualdo Six, and first performed in London on 15 June 2023 by the ensemble at Holy Trinity Church, South Kensington. Recordings:The Gesualdo Six Duration: 03:30
Battle Cry (2021) – Mezzo-soprano & Theorbo Read More Commissioned by City Music Foundation, and first performed on 7 September 2021 at the Great Hall, St Bartholomew’s Hospital, London by Helen Charlston and Toby Carr. Publisher: Novello Recording:Helen Charlston and Toby Carr Duration: 17:00
Full moon and little Frieda (2011) – Soprano with piano