Comfort by Lillie Harris
Premièred by the Chapter House Choir in York Minster 13 November 2021
Comfort was commissioned by choir member Adrian Fuller and his sister Katharine Carter, in honour of their parents Graham and Olwyn Fuller.
Lillie Harris writes:
Hope’ and ‘comfort’ were foremost ideas in our early discussions about this work. And as I wandered through York Minster on a beautiful sunny winter afternoon, I was struck by its closeness with, and acceptance of, death: the burial stones in the floor with all their partially-worn engraved messages and memories, the legacy items of pilgrimages, and the ancient cemetery beneath the cathedral itself. In this piece, I have sought to bring these ideas together in order to create an embrace of warmth, love, and understanding – one that acknowledges the sadness of loss but also celebrates the joy in a life well-lived, and brings voices together to express support and comfort.
Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.
MATTHEW 5.4
Blessed are the dead … that they may rest from their labours; and their works do follow them.
REVELATION 14:13
For all flesh is as grass, and all the glory of man as the flower of grass.
The grass withers, and the flower thereof falleth away.
PETER 1:24
And ye now therefore have sorrow: but I will see you again.
JOHN 16:22
.. so will I comfort you.
