In Memoriam James Whitbourn 1963-2024

James Whitbourn was born and raised in Tunbridge Wells, going on to lead a successful career as a composer, conductor, broadcaster and academic.

Annelies is perhaps James' best known choral work.  It brings to life the Diary of Anne Frank (Annelies), as adapted and translated by writer Melanie Challenger, and is the first large-scale choral interpretation of Anne's writing.  Through the haunting voices of a soprano soloist and full choir, Annelies portrays Anne alone with her thoughts in hiding and explores her sense of foreboding, as well as reflecting on her earlier memories and emotions.

The work premiered in its original full orchestral form on the 60th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz in 2005 at London's Cadogan Hall with an introduction by Anne Frank's cousin Bernd (Buddy) Elias.  A new chamber version was performed at the Hague on what would have been Anne's 80th birthday on 2009.

James Whitbourn's early music education is woven throughout Tunbridge Wells, from his active involvement in music at St James' Church to his formative years at Skinners' School, which James credited as a springboard for his choral scholarship to Magdalen College, Oxford.  A long and successful career at the BBC followed before James later returned to academia in Oxford.

James sadly passed away in March 2024 and the Royal Tunbridge Wells Choral Society in honoured to be singing the chamber version of Annelies in his memory.

(c) ANNE FRANK FONDS, Basel  Anne Frank Stichting, Amsterdam