A close brush with his own mortality eighteen months ago was the driving force behind Mike Sheppard’s decision to focus solely on his composing, putting aside his other commercial interests as a music publisher and producer. The Soul Rests Eternal marks the first fruits of this new direction.
The works take the listener on a journey exploring the emotional landscape of grief, bereavement and loss, but also hope, optimism and a celebration of life. Seen through the twin perspectives of the composer’s eyes and a more globalview, the album takes an emotional journey from the immediate to the eternal; the banal to the sublime. A ’radio-friendly’ collection of three to six minute works
Performances on the recording come from internationally renowned cellist Caroline Dale and the English Chamber Orchestra, conducted by the emmy-award nominated musician Steve Sidwell.
"...The playing is smooth and poised and the recording rich and satisfying ..."
D Moore - American Record Guide - July/August 2011
"Contemporary pastoral sounds, performed with understanding."
Pwyll ap Sion - Gramophone Magazine - May 2011
"...If you want to lie back to something warm, soothing, yet intense, this is unquestionably it. Beautiful music, played with passion ..." ****
Charlotte Gardner
