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A Garland for Linda is a lasting musical tribute to Linda McCartney, a celebrated photographer and late wife of former Beatle, Paul McCartney. Primary breast cancer and secondary liver cancer claimed her life on April 17, 1998, at the age of 56.

The collection of original choral music includes the contributions from nine prominent, contemporary British composers as well as a piece by McCartney called Nova, which features haunting lyrics of loss and love. The tribute to Linda takes its inspiration from a 1953 project -- A Garland for the Queen -- when ten British composers penned new works as a musical celebration of the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II.

A Garland for Linda debuted in England last year and was performed for the first time in the United States on June 3 at Riverside Church in New York City. Choral arrangements of classic Beatle songs written by McCartney and John Lennon were also performed.

The performance was expected to raise more than $2 million for the benefit of The Garland Appeal, a new international charity designed to raise money for cancer research. The production was a joint project of National Public Radio and WNYC.

The Garland Appeal
The a Garland for Linda project was originally conceived of by cancer survivor Stephen Connock, founder and chairman of The Garland Appeal.

"The work is about maintaining hope and a zest for life and these composers will, through their music, provide hope and comfort for us all," said Connock, founder and chairman of The Garland Appeal.

Money raised by the performance will be donated to the British charity, Breakthrough Breast Cancer, The Ark Facility at the North Hampshire Hospital in England and the Dedicated Breast MRI Cancer Research Program in the United States.

For more information, visit the Garland Appeal Web site or Paul McCartney's Web site.

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