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Displaying 1-50 of 183 items.
Review: An exquisite and evocative arrangement by Alexander L'Estrange of Paul Simon's 1960s classic song as performed by Simon and Garfunkel. This 4.5-minute unaccompanied SSAATTBB arrangement embraces the classic folk-rock song style so loved by Simon and Garfunkel. Alexander L'Estrange is a multi-faceted composer, arranger, jazz musician and choral animateur who has been dubbed 'the added 9th of choral music'. 
Review: This wonderful anthology of ten carols by Alan Bullard includes new material written specially for the collection as well as favourites from the Oxford catalogue, some of which are presented for the first time with SATB scoring. From the ethereal 'And all the stars looked down' to the upbeat 'Glory to the Christ Child', Alan Bullard Carols showcases an attractive and varied selection of Christmas works that will appeal to all mixed-voice choirs. Songlist: A boy is born in Bethlehem (Puer natus), And all the stars looked down, And can this newborn mystery, Angel Alleluias, Glory to the Christ Child, Hill-side Carol, Ring the bells, Star of Wonder, The Gracious Gift, This night
Alan Bullard : The Spacious FirmamentReview: Setting the well-known text by Joseph Addison, The spacious firmament is a mysterious and powerful concert work. Bullard uses a variety of textures throughout the piece, resulting in a unique and memorable choral work that will be welcomed by more experienced choirs.
Alexander L'Estrange : O Waly Waly and Other Classic English MelodiesReview: England 'this scepter'd isle', has been the inspiration for many beautiful folk melodies through time. Here are three contrasted songs that capture the atmosphere of past times - the hard toil, the love lost, and the fun that could be had. Songlist: Early One Morning, Dashing Away With The Smoothing Iron, O Waly Waly
Alexander L'Estrange : O Waly Waly and Other Classic English MelodiesReview: Fair and green England, 'this scepter'd isle', has been the inspiration for many beautiful folk melodies through time. Here are three contrasted songs that capture the atmosphere of those times -- the hard toil, the love lost, and the fun that could be had!j Songlist: Early One Morning, Dashing Away With The Smoothing Iron, O Waly Waly
Barry Rose : Sing, Precious MusicReview: Selected and edited by Barry Rose, Sing, Precious Music is a superb collection of nine anthems written between the 1960s and today, one newly published in this volume: all by noteworthy composers if choral works, all memorable, suitable for concert as well as liturgical use, and all within the capabilities of the modern mixed choir, large or small. A Choral Advisor to Novello since 1999, Barry Rose has been associated with many forms of choral music for over sixty years. The Novello Choral Programme is the creation of a panel of advisers preeminent in the British music scene. The aim is to publish essential editions from the best of the wealth of existing choral music, ancient and modern, while widening the repertoire with exciting new composers and new trends in music making. Songlist: Feast song for Saint Cecilia, Gracious Spirit, Holy Ghost, Harvest Anthem, I love all beauteous things, I saw three ships, Let all the world, The praises of the Trinity, Rejoice and be merry, There is no rose Style: Church
Beatles : Note-for-Note Vocal Transcriptions  Review: This terrific collection in our Note-for-Note Vocal Transcriptions series features 12 Beatles classics, with vocal parts transcribed exactly as they were recorded, including lead, harmony and background parts, and all vocal inflections, plus a keyboard reduction of the instrumental parts and chord labels. Songlist: Because, Day Tripper, Drive My Car, Good Day Sunshine, In My Life, Nowhere Man, Paperback Writer, Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band, This Boy, Ticket To Ride, With A Little Help From My Friends, You Won't See Me
Review: Written for SATB voices and harp (or piano), this popular christmas choral collection is perfect for your holiday concert. Songlist: Procession, Wolcom, Yole, There Is No Rose, The Yonge Child, Balulaow, As Dew In Aprille, This Little Babe, Interlude, In Freezing Winter Night, Spring Carol, Deo Grcias, Recession, Spring Carol
Review: Written for SSA voices and harp (or piano), this popular Christmas choral collection is perfect for your holiday concert. Songlist: Procession, Wolcom Yole, There Is No Rose, The Yonge Child, Balulalow, As Dew In Aprille, This Little Babe, Interlude, In Freezing Winter Night, Spring Carol, Deo Gracias, Recession, Spring Carol
Review: At the opening of Act 2 of Gloriana, Queen Elizabeth 1 is on a state visit to Norwich. After a formal address of welcome she is entertained by a Masque. To these unaccompanied Choral Dances, dancers representing Time and Concord, country girls and young rustics and fishermen all pay homage and tribute to the Queen Songlist: Time, Concord, Time and Concord, Country Girls, Rustics and Fishermen, Final Dance of Homage
Review: A perfect example of the young Britten's masterful vocal writing in a Christmas choral suite destined to become a major repertoire work. Songlist: Christ's Nativity, Sweet was the Song, Preparations, New Price, New Pomp and Carol of King Cnut.
Review: Both beautiful and inspiring words and music with these delightful songs. Songlist: To Daffodils, The Succession of the Four Sweet Months, Marsh Flowers, The Evening Primrose, Ballad of Green Broom
Bob Chilcott : 5 Songs For Upper VoicesReview: This exciting and accessible collection for upper voices (scored for SA choir and piano) features five brand-new songs by celebrated choral composer Bob Chilcott. Drawing on five very different texts, Chilcott guides the voices through a number of styles and moods; the songs include the rousing 'All for Love of One', gentle 'The Truth is Great', and thought-provoking 'All things pass'. The central song, 'Circles of Motion', is a fervent and positive setting of Joy Harjo's well-known 'Eagle Poem', and the collection is completed by the funky 'Red Boots On', which uses jazzy rhythms and harmonies to bring Kit Wright's text alive. This is Chilcott at his very best - a welcome addition to the repertoire of any upper-voice choir. Songlist: All For Love of One, The Truth Is Great, Circles of Motion, All Things Pass, Red Boots On
Review: Composed for the Reykjavik Cathedral Choir's "Solo Dei Gloria" Festival in 2004, Advent Antiphons is an exquisite concert setting of the Great O Antiphons. Traditionally chanted or sung between 17 and 23 December, the Antiphons comprise seven brief prayers which proceed in sequence, charting events from before Creation through to the birth of Christ. The powerful sentiments conveyed in these texts are brought to the fore in Chilcott's masterful writing for double choir; he embroiders a beautifully textured work in which echoes of plainchant combine with richly expressive harmony. In the third and fifth movements, the composer instructs the individual sopranos and altos in each choir to sing their parts in their own rhythm, to entrancing effect. Without doubt, this is some of Chilcott's finest music to date; subtle yet potent, haunting, and uplifting. Songlist: O Sapientia, O Adonai, O Radix Jesse, O Clavis David, O Oriens, O Rex Gentium, O Emmanuel
Review: These anthems by Andrew Carter, Bob Chilcott, and John Rutter contain ten of their most popular pieces to date. The anthems have been carefully selected to be both approachable to a wide range of choirs and appropriate to the needs of today's liturgy. Together, these collections offer an unrivalled choice of text, style, and scoring, which will make them indispensible and treasured additions to any choir library. Songlist: And Thank Him Then, Be Thou My Vision, even Such Is Time, God Loved So The World, If Ye Love Me, Irish Blessing, Just As I Am, Song From Jubilate, Sweet Prospect, Walk Softly
Review: Nine classic Chilcott songs including original pieces and arrangements of traditional material. The varied nature of the collection highlights Chilcott's prodigious gifts. Some of the pieces are published here for the first time. Songlist: Aka-Tonbo, Ar Hyd Y Nos, Composed Upon Westminister Bridge, September 3, 1802, Dance In The Street, O Danny Boy, Over the Wave, The Lily and the Rose, The Runner, Skye Boat Song
Review: The carols of Bob Chilcott have quickly become classics of the repertoire. Fresh, arrestingly beautiful, and exquisitely crafted, they signal a new direction for carol writing, and appeal to a wide range of singers of all ages. This collection of carols for mixed voices assembles nine of the finest pieces from Chilcott's first ten years with Oxford, including two new pieces specially written for the book. Together, they offer a reat range of styles and moods, and provide a moving narration of the Christmas story that will delight choirs and their audiences for years to come. Songlist: Christmas-tide, For Him And All Stars Have Shone, Lully, Lulla, Thou Little Tiny Child, Mid-Winter, Nova! Nova!, Remember O, Thou Man, The Shepard's Carol, The Time Of Snow, Where Riches Is Everlastingly
Review: Hark, hark, the lark is a collection of eight exquisite settings for upper voices, specially commissioned to celebrate the four hundredth anniversary of William Shakespeare's death. The volume pays tribute to Britain's greatest writer, presenting a selection of his finest texts set to music by some of today's most accomplished choral composers. Songlist: And will he not come again?, Blow, blow, thou winter wind, Come unto these yellow sands, Hark, hark, the lark, Our revels now are ended, Over hill, over dale, When icicles hang by the wall, You spotted snakes with double tongue
Review: An uplifting and joyful concert setting of four texts exploring man's relationship with the earth. Brimming with energy, the work has a wonderful freshness and vitality. Chilcott selects a range of evocative texts from ancient Chinese, Aztec, Eskimo, and native American cultures. Chilcott's skill for capturing the essence and meaning of words in music shines throughout the work. Songlist: When the Sun Rises, The Earth, The Innermost House, Come to the Great World
Bob Chilcott : Jazz Folk Songs For ChoirsReview: This exciting collection by Bob Chilcott gives a jazzy twist to nine favourite folk songs from around the world. The spiral-bound edition is accompanied by a fantastic backing CD, allowing choirs to perform with jazz-trio accompaniment. Bob Chilcott currently conducts the chorus at the Royal College of Music in London and is in great demand as a guest conductor and leader of choral workshops worldwide. Songlist: Composer's Note, A La Claire Fontaine (There by the Crystal Fountain), En La Macarenita (Down in Macarena), Hush, Little Baby, Sakura (Cherry Tree), Scarborough Fair, Tell My Ma, The House of the Rising Sun, Tuoll' On Mun Kultani (There is my Loved one), Waltzing Matilda, CD Tracklist and Credits
Bob Chilcott : Sacred Choral SelectionsReview: The beautiful eight-part setting of 'My Prayer' starts out with a beautiful alto duet. This challenging piece is a joy to perform and to hear. 'Pray that Jerusalem may have peace' is a Scottish Psalter that was commisioned to commemorate the 150th Anniversary of the consecration of Glenalmond College Chapel. The multiple key and tempo changes make this a challenging but exciting piece to perform. The text in 'God so loved the world' comes from John 3:16. The soprano solo adds a beautiful descant to this touching piece. 'Even Such Is Time' comes from the text by Sir Walter Raleight. The piece starts out with soft, but expressive, four-part harmonies. Half way through the song, the men's parts divisi. The soprano solo at the end adds a great finish. George Herber's text in 'Even-Song' is brought to life with gorgeous harmonies and yet another sweet soprano solo. Songlist: My Prayer, Pray That Jerusalem May Have Peace, God So Loved The World, Even Such Is Time, Even-Song
Review: Shall I compare thee? is a collection of ten exquisite settings for mixed voices, specially commissioned to celebrate the four hundredth anniversary of William Shakespeare's death. The volume pays tribute to Britain's greatest writer, presenting a selection of his finest texts set to music by some of today's most accomplished choral composers. Accompanied and unaccompanied settings Songlist: The Bird of Dawning, Fear no more the heat o' th' sun, I know a bank where the wild thyme blows, It was a lover and his lass, Shall I compare thee to a summer's day?, Sigh no more, ladies, Come away, come away death, When that I was and a little tiny boy, If music be the food of love, Touch her soft lips and part
Review: 'Singing by Numbers' is a celebration of singing in all its various forms, using a diverse assortment of texts. The seven short movements include items for upper (or children's) voices and men's voices as well as the full choir. Songlist: Sing We Now Merrily, The Singing Of Birds, Hey Down A Down, Cruet MacNighshade, Sing You Now, Everyone Sang, Hey Down A Down / Sing With Thy Mouth
Bob Chilcott : Songs and Cries of London TownReview: Songs And Cries Of London by Bob Chilcott is a vibrant and varied choral cantata in five movements for SATB choir, upper-voice choir, piano duet, and optional percussion. The two outer movements draw their words and inspiration from "The Cries Of London" by Orlando Gibbons and frame three contrasting middle movements setting a poem each by Dunbar and wordsworth, as well as the anonymous 18th century rhyme "Oranges and Lemons." Together, these settings evoke a surprisingly contemporary impression of London's sights, sounds, and moods, inspiring some irresistible music, by turns contemplative and unquenchably thrilling. Songlist: Come Buy, The Flower Of Cities All, London Bells, Composed Upon Westminster Bridge, Good Morrow
Review: The weather, the most quintessentially English of topics, was the inspiration for Bob Chilcott's Weather Report, written for the BBC Singers. Chilcott weaves together a tapestry of well-known weather rhymes to create a work that is energetic, quirky, and entertaining. His choral writing is inventive and full of character, using layered rhythms and jazzy harmonies. This is a fun piece to perform, and perfect as a light addition to any concert programme. Songlist: Weather Report
Review: SongStream is an exciting and innovative collection of 10 songs for youth choirs. Largely scored for SAB, with some divisi and optional parts, these songs combine the music of Bob Chilcott and the Voiceworks approach of Peter Hunt to present a dazzling array of pieces in all styles for young singers. Here are original compositions and arrangements, a gentle Japanese song and a gutsy setting of a Native American text, a funky spiritual and a Beatles encore, a tranquil folksong and a song noisily celebrating life and youthful energy. Accessible, relevant, and heart-warming, these pieces will communicate directly with young singers and their audiences and freshen any concert programme. Songlist: Aka-Tonbo, Blue Mountain River, Can You Hear Me?, Give Me Strength, How Can I Keep From Singing?, The Ribbon, Shake the Bottle, Swing Low, Sweet Chariot, Three Country Dances In One, With A Little Help From My Friends
Review: In the space of two minutes, enjoy singing favorite moments from nearly 30 Christmas carols and songs in this medley arranged by Cantabile - the London Quartet. Lots of fun for everybody! Songlist: A Festival of Carols in Two Minutes
Cantabile - The London Quartet : The Great British A Cappella SongbookReview: The Great British A Cappella Songbook features a collection of the London Quartet's favourite songs arranged for SATB - these songs are a celebration of all things British. Cantabile has long been recognized to be one of Britain's great vocal groups. They have appeared in a huge variety of venues, singing programmes encompassing early polyphony through to jazz and contemporary music, and have released many albums. Songlist: Pastime With Good Company, Greensleeves, Oranges and Lemons, Myfanwy, Danny Boy "I Would be True" (Londenderry Air), A Man's a Man for A' That, Pomp and Circumstance March Number 4, A Foggy Day (In London Town), Lullaby (Hush, Macushla)
Review: Every Christmas Eve for decades, the world-renowned Choir of King's College Chapel, Cambridge has broadcast the Festival o Nine Lessons and Carols worldwide on BBC Radio (Carols from King's is also televised by the BBC every Christmas annually). It never fails to inspire and appeal by bringing together readings from the Christmas story with the singing of traditional carols in which all may join: classic Christmas arrangements for the choir and exciting newly-composed anthems that often become choral classics. For countless people the broadcast of Nine Lessons and Carols is a major part of the Christmas experience.
Now the King's College Director of Music, Stephen Cleobury, has created this album of forty-six of the most enduring choral pieces from the Festivals. Thirteen are published here for the first time, ten were specially commissioned for King's and seven are carols for choir and congregation. Wide ranging in sources, this collection includes arrangements by King's directors of music David Wilcocks, Philip Ledger and Stephen Cleobury and leading contemporary composers such as Richard Rodney Bennett, Bob Chilcott, Jonathan Dove, John Joubert, Roxanna Panufnik, Arvo Part, John Rutter, Peter Sculthorpe, John Tavener, and Judith Weir.
Christmas at King's includes a preface by Stephen Cleobury and a useful appendix of readings with relevant repertoire from the collection for those choirs who want to present their own Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols. Songlist: Once In Royal David's City, A Great and Mighty Wonder, A Tender Shoot, A Virgin Most Pure, Adam Lay Ybounden, Alleluya, A New Work Is Come On Hand, Away In A Manger, Be Merry, Benedicamus Domino, The Birthday of Thy King, Bogoroditsye Dyevo, Christo Paremus Cantica, God Rest You Merry, Gentlemen, Good King Wenceslas, I Saw Three Ships Come Sailing In, I Wonder As I Wander, I Sing Of A Maiden, Illuminare, Jerusalem, In Wintertime, Infant Holy, Infant Lowly, The Infant King, It Came Upon The Midnight Clear, Jesus Christ The Apple Tree, The Lamb, Morning Song For The Christ Child, Myn Lyking, No Small Wonder, Love Came Down At Christmas, Noel nouvelet, Nowel, and more
Review: Persecution of the innocent, malevolent authority exerting itself against ideas that threaten and challenge, the power of a peaceful, loving humility in the face of tyranny, the facing-down of fear; all hold profound universal resonance for people of many faiths and those of none. Such is the power of the Passion story, and in his new work, Invictus: A Passion, multi-award-winning composer Howard Goodall has found a route directly to people's hearts, telling the story afresh through his choice of thought provoking texts combined with heart-rending yet inspiring music.
Christopher Morris (editor) : Anthems For Choirs 4Review: 26 anthems for SATB chorus by twentieth-century composers. These fifty anthems have been chosen with average church choirs in mind, but it is hoped that the collection will prove useful to cathedrals, collegiate churches and those churches supporting cathedral-like choirs. The collection covers all the main seasons and festivals in the church year and also includes a number of anthems for general use. Twelve of the anthems are suitable for unaccompanied singing. Songlist: O Thou The Central Orb, Puer Natus, On This Day Earth Shall Ring, Lord, Thou Hast Told Us, A Litany, Christ The Lord Is Risen Again, Lift Up Your Heads, O Clap Your Hands, A Pure River Of Water Of Life, A Hymn To The Trinity, We Wait For Thy Loving Kindness, Set Me As A Seal, O Taste and See, Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence, Thou, O God, Art Praised In Sion, Faire Is The Heaven, Give Us The Wings Of Faith, Make A Joyful Noise (Jubilate Deo), O Be Joyful In The Lord, O How Amiable, Like As The Hart, Jesu Dulcis Memoria, A Prayer For Peace, Lo, In The Time Appointed, Ah, Holy Jesus, Gloria In Excelsis
Clough-Leighter : The A Cappella SingerReview: "The A Cappella Singer" books, of which this is the second, are designed to bring much of this music in most engaging variety and excellence into schools, colleges, universities, clubs, communities and homes. While the other books in this series are designed for either the male or female voice, this book is designed for a mix of both, containing Madrigals and Ayres with all their grace, wit and lyrical charm; the ineffably lovely and truly religious music of Bach, Brahms and other composers nearer our own times; and fine arrangements of folk songs: this is an endlessly rich field containing most of the best choral music in the world. Songlist: Sing we and chant it, April is in my Mistress' face, Now in the month of Maying, My Bonny Lass, Shoot, false love, I care not, Dainty, fine, sweet nymph, Flora gave me fairest flowers, Adieu, sweet Amarillis, Grace my lovely ones, fair beauties, I thought that Love had been a boy, Let go, why do you stay me, The Silver Swan, Rest, sweet nymphs, In the delightful, pleasant groves, Matona, lovely maide, I know a young maiden wondrous fair, O eyes of my beloved, My heart doth beg you'll not forge, Gay little Nymph, One smiling summer morning, To woodland glades I must fare, Coletta, Spring returns, So well I know who's happy, You defy me, my beloved foe, Cloud Messengers (Cui), Radiant stars, above the mountains glowing (Nocturne) (Cui)
Review: From the Faber Choral Programme Series. Each volume presents a group or groups of compatible pieces designed to form the basis of a "block" within a choral concert program. Imaginative, versatile and a wonderful addition to SATB concert repertoire. Songlist: Bobby Shafto, Dance To Your Daddy (Dance To Thy Daddy), The Frog And The Crow, Scarborough Fair, She Moved Through The Fair
Review: Sir David Willcocks: A Celebration in Carols marks the 95th birthday of one of the most acclaimed choral conductors, editors, and arrangers of our time. A survey of his work, the collection brings together many of Willcocks's best-loved carol arrangements, spanning his career as co-editor of Carols for Choirs and as conductor of the UK's finest choirs. It includes a selection of his original compositions too, and gives an overview of the styles and traditions that have enhanced the Christmas musical experience of thousands of singers and listeners. As an affectionate birthday tribute, A Celebration also includes specially-commissioned new carols by John Rutter, Bob Chilcott, and Jonathan Willcocks. Songlist: Away in a manger, I saw three ships, O come, all ye faithful, Sussex Carol, Infant holy, infant lowly, Tomorrow shall be my dancing day, Hark! the herald-angels sing, Quelle est cette odeur agreable?, Gabriel's Message, Birthday Carol, Resonemus laudibus, Jingle, Bells, Lullay, my liking, High Word of God, eternal Light, Starry night, Rejoice and sing!, Nowell, nowell, There is no rose
David Wordsworth (editor) : The Novello Shakespeare Choral CollectionReview: Music played an enormous role in the works of William Shakespeare, while his own sonnets, poems and soliloquies have provided continuing inspiration for many composers through the years. The Novello Shakespeare Choral Collection, inspired by the 400th anniversary of the Bard's death in 2016, is an exciting anthology of choral works that are settings of Shakespeare's words. For choirs of all types and abilities, this collection has been edited by David Wordsworth so that all the pieces are fantastic both to sing and hear. The collection features some beautiful settings that have well and truly stood the test of time. These songs truly are a joy to perform, with some relatively simple arrangements that are purely fun to sing, while some more complex settings that will be thoroughly rewarding for choirs and audiences alike. The Novello Shakespeare Choral Collection is an essential anthology of stunning settings of beautiful words which will be performed and enjoyed for many years to come. Songlist: Blow, Blow, Thou Winter Wind, Hymn For Shakespeare's Birthday, Lo, Here, The Gentle Lark, O, How Much More, Four Rounds To Shakespeare Texts, It Was A Lover And His Lass, Tell Me Where Is Fancy Bred, Who Is Silvia?, Rosemary, If We Shadows Have Offended, Be Not Afeard, Shall I Compare Thee To A Summer's Day?, How Sweet The Moonlight Sleeps, Weary With Toil, I Haste Me To My Bed, Ophelia's Lament, Sigh No More, Ladies, A Summer Sonnet, Orpheus With His Lute, Light Thickens, Fear No More, Fear No More, Look In Thy Glass, Orpheus, Daffodils, O Mistress Mine, Full Fathom Five
Edward Elgar : Five Unaccompanied Part-Songs for TTBBReview: Part-Song for Men's voices. The words from the Greek Anthology translated by Alma Strettell. Includes piano part for rehearsal purposes. Songlist: After A Dusty Mile, Feasting I Watch, Yea, Cast Me From The Heights of the Mountain, Whether I Find Thee, It's Oh To Be a Wild Wind
Edward Elgar : The Early Part-Songs 1890-1891Review: A collection of Elgars's early works for unaccompanied mixed voice choir. Songlist: O Happy Eyes, Love, My Love Dwelt in a Northern Land, Spanish Serenade
Review: Unaccompanied poetry settings from the period 1902-1925, for SATB with divisions. Includes piano part for rehearsal purposes. Songlist: Evening Scene, Weary Wind of the West, The Prince of Sleep
Review: Edward Higginbottom writes a highly accessible and mellifluous arrangement of "Down By the Sally Gardens". The delicate scoring, smooth vocal lines, and well-judged splashes of harmonic color allow the simple beauty of the tune to be heard. The traditional Somerset folksong "O Waly Waly" is given a delightful treatment and "Early One Morning" features both a solo baritone and solo soprano part that will make the singers shine! Songlist: Down By The Sally Gardens, Early One Morning, O Waly, Waly
Ernest John Moeran : Collected Choral MusicReview: The third volume of Ernest John Moeran's Choral Music is for male voices. This centenary edition has been edited by John Talbot. The second half of the album is accompanied by Piano, though the first half has a line included for rehearsal purposes. Songlist: Alsatian Carol, Candlemas Eve, Ivy And Holly, O Sweet Fa's The Eve, Rores Montium (Mountain Dew), Sheep Shearing Song, When Icicles Hang Down The Wall
Francis Jackson (Edited) : Anthems For Choirs 1Review: These fifty anthems have been chosen with average parish church choirs in mind, but it is hoped that the collection will prove useful to cathedrals, collegiate churchs and those churchs supporting cathedral-like choirs. Anthems suitable for unaccompanied singing and those needing organ accompaniement are about equal in number: most are for four voices without divisi parts. This collection covers all the main seasons and festivals of the Church's Year, and also includes 21 anthems for general use. Songlist: Advent, Christmas, Innocents, Epiphany, Septuagesima, Lent, Passiontide, Easter, Whitsun, Ascension, Trinity, Weddings, Mornin, Evening, Communion, Unity, Dedication
Frank Bridge : Peter PiperReview: Here is a delightful extended arrangement of the classic children's nursery rhyme. The tongue-twister becomes a fun and challenging piece to sing. It also helps with annunciation, teaches alliteration and a useful teaching tool as well as a great deal of fun for both the performers and audiences alike.
Review: Gabriel Jackson's music has been performed and broadcast throughout Europe and the USA and has been heard, in recent years, in Cape Town, Ho Chi Minh City, Kiev, Kuwait, Sydney, Tokyo and Vancouver. His works have been presented at many festivals in the UK and beyond and his liturgical pieces are in the repertoires of many of Britain's leading cathedral and collegiate choirs and in 2003 he won the liturgical category at the inaugural British Composer Awards. "Salus Aeterna" is a bright and mercurial piece that makes full use of the delicious fleeting harmonies and close-written sonoroties of its flowing melodic lines. It sets a Sequence for Advent Sunday that looks forward to Christ's coming and subsequent judgement of all things. The exquisite miniature "O Thou That Art The Light" sets an intimate prayer by St Augustine of Hippo asking for God's grace to know and serve Him. Simple and homophonic it is infused with Jackson's characteristic passion and luminosity. "O fear the Lord" sets two verses from Psalm 34. A controlled organum-style opening gives way to a more fervent, harmonic middle section. An approachable and beautiful piece. "Salve Regina" is an exquisite piece, simple and homophonic in style, and with a luminescent beauty characteristic of many of Jackson's choral works. The piece begins quietly and reverently. There is a graceful soprano solo in the central section, after which the harmony opens out and richly blossoms in ecstatic praise of the Virgin Mary, before ending serenely as it began. Songlist: I Look From Afar, Salve Regina, O Fear The Lord, O Thou That Art The Light, Salus Aeterna
Review: The short expressive piece "Ah, mine heart" sets a fifteenth-century penitential poem of great fervour. Jackson alternates a refrain in a simple plainsong style with more passionate, homophonic verses, to powerful effect. A setting of the Trinity Sunday text with achingly pure and fluid melodic lines feature throughout, imbuing the piece with characteristic clarity and luminosity. The change to A major for 'Trinitati in Unitate' is radiant, as is the final section, in which the choir divides into eight parts to proclaim the glory of the Trinity. Uplifting and powerful, this is rewarding music for committed choirs. Composed for the Feast of Corpus Christi, "O Sacrum Convivium" has a poise and beauty rare in choral music. Jackson uses the full sonic opportunities offered by the divided scoring, moving effortlessly from controlled meditation to ecstatic fervour, all delivered with absolute belief and clarity. The anthem "Now I Have Known, O Lord" is set to a text by the 10th-century Sufi mystic, Al-Junaid. For the most part, the mood is intimate and introspective; intertwining, whispered melodies, sometimes in free time, alternate with quiet homophony. There is a moment of soaring, unrestrained ecstasy towards the end of the piece before it draws to a hushed conclusion. Suitable for a variety of occasions, this is beautiful, challenging music for serious choirs. Songlist: Ah, mine heart, Hymn to the Trinity (Honor, Virtus, et Potestas), Lux Mortuorum, Now I Have Known, O Lord, O Sacrum Convivium, Tomorrow Go Ye Forth
Gavin Bryars : First Book of Madrigals - For Unaccompanied Male VoicesReview: These Madrigals were written especially for the Hilliard Ensemble with who Gavin Bryars has worked for many years. The texts are by the poet and writer Blake Morrison. Songlist: Web, Stormy, Almond Tree, Just As The Ash-Glow`, Within Minutes, Our Bodies In The Shower, She'd Buy Things, All The Homely Arts And Crafts, In April, Who's The More To Blame, The Print Of Soles, My Pomegranate, Against Dieting
Gerald Finzi : 7 Poems Of Robert BridgesReview: A wide-ranging quintessentially English setting of lyrical poetry by Robert Bridges, resulting in some of the finest unaccompanied part songs of the period. There is a great deal of variety in the set from the simple and direct setting of I praise the tender flower, through the elated emotions of My spirit sang all day, to the sultry summer by the river in Clear and gentle stream and the weighty emotions expressed in the last song Wherefore tonight so full of care. Performed complete, lasting nearly 20 minutes, the Seven Part Songs provide a most attractive item in a concert programme, suitable for coupling with madrigals and part songs ancient and modern Songlist: I Praise the Tender Flower, I Have Loved Flowers that Fade, My Spirit Sang All Day, Clear and Gentle Stream, Nightingales, Hast on, my joys!, Wherefore to-night so full of care
Gerald Finzi : A Cappella CompositionsReview: Gerald Finzi is one of the most admired British composers of the 20th Century. His music embraces a rich variety of moods, from elegiac lyricism, through spiritual reflection, to radiant joy. Finzi epitomised much that was characteristic of English Music, Literature and Landscape. He was part of that generation of composers who came to maturity in the middle of the 20th century. He was friends with Ralph Vaughan Williams, Edmund Rubbra, Howard Ferguson, Arthur Bliss and Robin Milford. The beautiful and sensitive nature of Gerald Finzi's compositions is displayed in these six excellent 4-part arrangements. Songlist: All This Night, I Praise the Tender Flower, Clear and Gentle Stream, Wherefore Tonight So Full of Care, White-Flowering Days
Review: One of most popular of 20th century British composers, in concert and on disc , Gerald Finzi's works are lyrical, subtly understated, often elegiac in tone, mingling human pain and natural beauty. These beautiful pieces are suitable for funerals and memorials. Songlist: Life a Right Shadow Is, This World A Hunting Is, This Life, Which Seems So Fair
Review: Hidden within the marvelous operas of William Gilbert and Arthur Sullivan are wonderful madrigals, glees and part songs. They are masterpieces in themselves and can stand on their own. Because they are seldom heard, unless one attends a complete performance of an opera, they have been extracted so they may be accessible to everyone. These treasures are ideal for a variety of occasions and will complement any choral concert. For mixed voices with keyboard. Songlist: A British Tar, Let's Give Three Cheers, I Hear The Soft Note, Brightly Dawns Our Wedding Day, When The Buds are Blosoming, A Strange Adventure, When a Wooer goes a-wooing, Thank You Gallant Gondolieri, Try We life-long
Giles Swayne : Giles Swayne Choral SongbookReview: A first retrospective of Giles Swayne's challenging but rewarding liturgical settings. This album brings together five short religious choral settings, for mixed voices unaccompanied or with organ. Songlist: O Magnum Mysterium, Veni Creator I, Veni Creator II, Beatus Vir, Missa Brevissima |
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