![]() ![]() Having decided on the format of a song cycle I set about gathering texts, each reflecting a different aspect of cycling - from the often-amusing initial objections in the late nineteenth century (Fine and dandy) and the unexpected role it played in the emancipation of women (A woman wearing bloomers on a wheel) to the glorious sensation of cycling through the countryside (My wheel and I / The men who ride for fun) and the benefits to body and mind (Freewheeling). That experience reinforced my desire to create an uplifting, light-hearted and entertaining piece which would reflect both the enormous appeal of this most popular and energy-efficient mode of transport and also the beauty of our natural surroundings. ![]() It gave me the perfect excuse to spend a few days in Yorkshire - a stunning county in which I have enjoyed many happy holidays - and to cycle some of the route as a way of gaining inspiration. As a keen cyclist and lover of the outdoors, I was delighted when the York-based Chapter House Choir, as a joint venture with York Minster, commissioned me to compose a choral work for all ages to mark the Grand Départ of the Tour de France 2014.
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