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Pieces by Shirley J Thompson, Rowland Sutherland, Evelyn Ficarra and Ed Hughes will be performed live with the composers present, the pieces consisting of music for flute, clarinet, keyboard, electric guitar, cello and voice. 

The songs explore the human experience of the South Downs, the chalk hills stretching from Winchester to Eastbourne. The music pieces are drawn from written sources, including: Phillis Wheatley’s poem An Hymn to the Evening (1753–1784), reflecting Wheatley’s time in England, a poem by Charlotte Turner Smith (1749–1806), words by Marion Robinson (1937), whose writings for the Mass Observation Archive were influenced by William Blake’s visions of the South Downs skies and a poem by contemporary Brighton-based poet Valerie Whittington.  

Accompanying the performances will be a few short films and readings of poems by Charlotte Smith and Phyllis Wheatley, all inspired by the South Downs past and present.  

The performance will conclude with the first performance of ‘Brilliant Rays of Arrowy Light’, created by composer Ed Hughes working with students from schools and colleges in West and East Sussex, with accompanying screenings of archive and contemporary film of Sussex Downs and seascapes between 1930 and today. After the performance there will be 10 minutes for audience questions.  

Programmed alongside the exhibition Sussex Modernism. A discounted ticket package is available when booking for both this event and a ticket to Sussex Modernism (for the 13 July only).

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Posted on behalf of: Centre for Life History and Life Writing Research (MAH)
Further information: https://townereastbourne.org.uk/whats-on/south-downs-songbook
Last updated: Sunday, 25 May 2025