David Heyes (b.1960) studied double bass with Laurence Gray and Bronwen Naish, later at the Royal College of Music in London, and completed his post-graduate studies in Prague with František Pošta (Principal Bass, Czech Philharmonic Orchestra). He has given recitals and masterclasses in 20 countries over the past few years and has been a juror at a number of international competitions, three times as chairman.
David’s collaborative work gained him a prestigious award from the David Walter Charitable Trust of New York for his pioneering activities as a soloist, teacher, publisher, and commissioner of new music for double bass and he works with composers throughout the world to expand the double bass repertoire by commissioning new music and by rediscovering forgotten ones. Since 1983 more than 700 works have been written for him, music from one to twenty basses and from beginner to virtuoso, and he has premiered ten contemporary concertos with orchestra.
David began to compose in 2013 and has had music performed and recorded in 29 countries across five continents. He is a D’Addario Performing Artist and has recently commissioned a solo double bass from British master-luthier Martin Penning.
Far Away… is dedicated to the memory of Lynn Johnston (1949-2016) and was premiered at the Market House, Castle Cary (Somerset) on Friday 22 July 2016 by …Sarah Poole (soprano) and David Heyes (piano), receiving its US premiere on Sunday 20 April 2024 at Meetinghouse Arts (Freeport, Maine) by the same performers.
Canadian born Lynn Johnston had lived in Castle Cary for a number of years and owned The Bailey Hill Bookshop sharing her wonderful knowledge and love to books to everyone she met. She had also been a singing student of Sarah Poole, who sang at Lynn’s funeral, and Far Away… was composed for Sarah for a memorial service which brought together many of Lynn’s friends to remember and celebrate her life.
The musical material is built on a simple four bar chordal phrase with the same underlying bass note in every bar. Set to words by the First World War poet Isaac Rosenberg (1890-1918) who was born in Bristol but lived most of his life in East London, the melodic interest is always given to the singer underpinned by a strongly supportive chordal accompaniment which features interesting chords, often with the addition to a 7th to create a musical palette which is neither major nor minor.
This edition includes versions for High, Medium and Low Voice
By what pale light or moon-pale shore Drifts my soul in lonely flight?
Regions God had floated o’er
Ere He touched the world with light?
Not in Heaven and not in earth Is this water, is this moon;
For there is no starry birth, And no dawning and no noon.
Far away- O far away,
Mist-born-dewy vapours rise From the dim gates of the day Far below in earthly skies.
Isaac Rosenberg
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