Music by Handre Potgeiter and film edited by Matthew Farrell
CHAPS commissioned South African composer and friend Handre Potgeiter to write a piece of music to celebrate the role of UK coal miners; this was followed by adding film of coal mining in the UK to further celebrate and mark the work coal miners did.
Words from Handre, written in 2021:
“I am so honoured to share my latest release with you. Grounded in Gratitude is commissioned as the Official Anthem for the United Kingdom National Miners’ Memorial. The memorial will be unveiled at the National Memorial Arboretum in Alrewas, Staffordshire, UK later this year. Composing this work was such a privilege and the historical significance and more profound meaning have deeply touched me.
Grounded in Gratitude portrays a day in the life of a miner. You sense peace and calm at home, then you feel the rhythm and inner-workings of the mine followed by a kind of harmonious fulfilment at the end of the day. Throughout the composition, the music keeps elevating and building, paying tribute to the men and women working in the coal mines during WWI and WWII. Grounded in Gratitude is a dedication to them, their families and their place in history.
The recording features an emotional and striking performance by British Violinist Lizzie Ball and the orchestration and production exquisitely crafted by Jaconell Mouton.
The film was put together by Matthew Farrell; Film and photographs used courtesy of the National Coal Board; National Archive, Kew and Alex Smith
People have accessed both the music and the film on several platforms and have commented on the beauty and emotion of each; the film, accompanied by the music has been shown at many public events, with a similar response. It helps to keep the heritage alive!”