New EP from Cecily Beer & Thomas Hewitt Jones

Thomas Hewitt Jones is a celebrated British composer who’s been leaving his mark on the modern classical and commercial music spheres. He first found success as the winner of the BBC Young Composer Competition, which shot him into the music world and since then, his compositions have reached audiences worldwide, while being featured across concert stages, TV, film and radio. With an expansive portfolio that includes instrumental, orchestral, choral and ballet pieces, he’s become a beloved figure in modern classical music.

His music spans beyond traditional compositions, with his catalogue of Library music growing to around a thousand tracks, which are widely available for commercial use and heard globally across a range of media platforms. For over a decade, he’s been sharing his compositions with the world, working with other artists and ensembles to bring his musical vision to life. Bringing us his latest release, he shares the new three-song EP titled Carols of the Harp, collaborating with the talented harpist and choral singer Cecily Beer and The Chamber Orchestra Of London to deliver an enchanting work of classical music for the holiday season.

Cecily Beer is known for her exquisite performances across Europe, the USA, the Middle East and Australasia, as well as being a Resident Harpist at The Waldorf Hotel in Covent Garden since 2014. The Chamber Orchestra of London also plays an essential role in the EP, bringing a sophisticated touch with their renowned orchestral sound. Known for their work in iconic productions such as The Crown, Downton Abbey and the Harry Potter film series, the ensemble’s exceptional talent infuses the compositions with a dazzling sound.

Starting with the short and sweet piece, “Sussex Carol,” silky strings and delicate harp plucks combine to craft a lilting and buoyant sound that gently swells with intricate dashes of melodies and a playful rhythmic bounce. The swirling instrumental tones collide in a balletic dance to deliver a spellbinding and truly delightful listening experience, delivered via exquisite musicianship from start to finish.

With their rendition of a holiday classic, they present a beautiful re-imagination of “Silent Night” where the elegant notes of the harp rest upon the gentle sweep of strings to create an immersive and transportive soundscape that’s sure to speak to the hearts of anyone who hears it. With graceful harp flutters and smooth ebb and flow, it’s a stunning instrumental version that pays tribute to the beloved composition while framing it in a charming new light.

The final piece, “Bell Carol,” takes another well known piece of enduring music and filters it through the orchestral lens, offering a lively sound where the memorable melodies flicker through the rise and fall of plucked notes, spirited harp sweeps and dynamic string performance to offer a gripping take on a timeless composition. With Carols of the Harp, Thomas Hewitt Jones, Cecily Beer and The Chamber Orchestra Of London present a sensational display of modern classical music that’s sure to help soundtrack people’s celebrations this Christmas and beyond.

Commenting on the release, Thomas Hewitt Jones shares, “It was a pleasure to arrange and produce these three new Christmas arrangements for the talented Cecily Beer. To accompany Cecily, I brought in players from the Chamber Orchestra of London with whom I have recorded many media projects, and Rupert Gough conducted the session at the chapel of Royal Holloway, University of London in September 2024. We are delighted that Vivum Music Ltd. is releasing this EP which we hope will showcase Cecily’s beautiful harp playing as well as offering a new take on these famous seasonal tunes.”

With Cecily Beer adding, “This new music from Thomas Hewitt-Jones has been the biggest joy to learn and record. We had both agreed we wanted something that sparkled but with familiar melodies which people know and love. For me, the upbeat tracks, Sussex Carol and Bell Carol, are exactly what I want to be listening to while dancing around my kitchen making Christmas lunch; while the final track, Silent Night, has the perfect balance of joy that comes with this sublime new string arrangement, and nostalgia for a melody we all know and love so well.”

Listen to Carols of the Harp below