John has been interviewed for a new book, Giving Voice to my Music: Choral Composers in Conversation by David Wordsworth and published by Kahn & Averill.
They have commented: “David Wordsworth’s engrossing interviews take us into the world of twenty-four leading composers of choral music, composers for whom writing for choirs is central to their very existence. Here, they give voice to their inspirations, their passions and the challenges they have faced in working through the pandemic of 2020/21. They reveal how their life experiences have influenced their compositions, how they choose and relate to the texts they set, and how they interact with commissioners, singers and conductors alike. Enhanced by an extensive reference section and a revelatory list of the composers’ own favourite pieces, readers will discover music that has enriched these composers’ lives and encouraged their creativity. Giving Voice to my Music will be relished by singers, composers, conductors and above all audiences, for the new insights it offers into works that are already well-known but also for its introductions to new choral music that deserves to be better known.”
John is included in the book, along with Sir James MacMillan, Bob Chilcott, Eric Whitacre, Cecilia McDowall, Judith Weir, Morten Lauridsen, Roxanna Panufnik and others.
The foreword is by David Hill and Sir Andrew Davis has authored the preface.