Marvellous Light

Continuing their pioneering series of discs devoted to new music by young British composers, the Choir of Selwyn College, Cambridge, under the direction of Sarah MacDonald, introduce an exciting new and distinctive voice in the world of choral composition.

Ben Ponniah began composing in 2007 during a post-postgraduate gap year. At the core of his music is his own personal journey with faith, his love of the natural world, and his training as a singer and a jazz pianist.

He has a voice of great interest and attractiveness; his music combines the harmonic richness and colour of Poulenc and early Messiaen, with elements of Latin American and jazz to produce a heady mixture of sensual and exotic choral textures, but all with a natural flair for writing for voices. The text is paramount, and words are vividly painted. This is definitely a voice to watch!