I just listened to the Stabat Mater by Craig Bloomfield and I loved it very much. I like the intensity of the singers, of the choir as well of the soprano. C. Alistair Bloomfield was born in 1977 and he is of Jamaican nationality. The Stabat Mater was, however, composed in 1998 in Athens, Georgia (USA) and premiered the following year in 1999. His Stabat was composed after the death of his mother and it was dedicated to her. Unfortunately there is no CD recording. Since 2000 Craigs Stabat is listed on the page Missing CDs. A few months ago I was in contact with him again and he let me know his Stabat Mater can be downloaded on Dropbox. I was very happy with his mail:
…I remember being contacted by Hans many years ago, indeed. I was so delighted to be listed. It is very difficult for classical composers, regardless of merit, to get any real acknowledgement or performance opportunities due to the culture and nature of vocal performance today. Most works that are premiered must be self-financed, are commissioned, are performed by an ensemble created by the composer OR are a part of an academic execise (completion of a degree, for example).
As I fit into NONE of the above, I have rarely attempted to have my works performed (though I now have quite a few copyrighted and filed away.:)). This is why Hans’ work was so vital – not only to the Stabat Mater tradition, but also to the remembrance of composers everywhere. There is no worse thing for an artist than being forgotten. :(.
I do still compose. I had a premiere in April of this year (Super Flumina Babylonis – womens’ 6-voiced motet) and have three new works I am also hoping to have performed in the coming months.
I don’t have a professional recording, but you can download the recording from the DropBox link below. The performance wasn’t perfect. I had to create an ensemble of mostly amateur singers just to have the work premiered, but I am glad I did. 🙂
https://www.dropbox.com/s/twrgg3daqxkjs6m/01%20Stabat%20Mater.wma?dl=0
My deepest condolences, albeit it late, for your loss. He was a visionary in his own right and we composers of the Stabat Mater shall forever be in his debt…