David Fitzgerald
Norwich, United Kingdom7 reviews across 5 releases
David Fitzgerald is an English Christian woodwind musician whose work grew from the Celtic and progressive music of Iona, formed in 1989 after his collaboration with Dave Bainbridge and Joanne Hogg. His instruments give the music its distinctive voice: soprano, alto, and tenor saxophones, flutes, whistles, and clarinet are placed above spacious arrangements rather than used as conventional rock decoration. After leaving Iona to study music, he developed a more liturgical and classical approach. Lux Aeterna and Light Eternal combine atmospheric instrumental writing with hymn settings, choirs, and occasional vocals, while The Eye of the Eagle joins his woodwind playing to spoken readings and cathedral sonorities. The dark instrumental "Golgotha," with saxophone over a delicate soundscape, is characteristic of his preference for devotional music that can also carry unease.
In 1992, Fitzgerald left Iona to pursue a music degree focused on liturgical music, while continuing recording and touring work with Adrian Snell. He later reunited with Bainbridge for The Eye of the Eagle, a project also involving the writer David Adam; its 1998 album and accompanying video presented atmospheric music at Norwich Cathedral, with the video adding interviews to the live performance. Fitzgerald continued as a session musician and solo artist, working on worship recordings and television music while developing further instrumental projects. By the time Breath of Heaven appeared in 2001, he was arranging hymns and contemporary Christian songs for an ensemble that included Tim Oliver and other British players. Later work included further collaborations, recordings for BBC religious programming, and additional solo releases.
5 releases reviewed
Light Eternal
Lux Aeterna
The Eye of the Eagle
The Eye of the Eagle (Video)
Breath of Heaven