Blackford - In Flanders Fields - Books

In Flanders Fields was commissioned by the Flanders Symphony Orchestra and first performed at Cadogan Hall, London in November 2015. As part of the anniversary commemorating World War I it includes two narrated poems, The Dead by Rupert Brooke and In Flanders Fields by John McRae. A sombre string introduction leads to ghostly fanfares that recall bugle calls from the front line. A full fortissimo statement of the opening theme dies away as the narrator speaks the first poem over soft strings. The second musical interlude is more martial and dynamic with rattling xylophone and snare drum. Then soft distant bells herald a gentle rustling texture over which the final poem is narrated. Soft brass chords over the rustling texture die away into nothing. In Flanders Fields was narrated by Simon Callow and conducted by Jan Latham-Koenig.