In Celebration of the Human Voice - The Essential Musical Instrument

William Blake

Born: 1757. Died: 1827. Lived in: England
William Blake was an English poet, painter, and printmaker. Largely unrecognised during his life, Blake is now considered a seminal figure in the history of the poetry and visual art of the Romantic Age. What he called his "prophetic works" were said by 20th-century critic Northrop Frye to form "what is in proportion to its merits the least read body of poetry in the English language". His visual artistry led 21st-century critic Jonathan Jones to proclaim him "far and away the greatest artist Britain has ever produced". In 2002, Blake was placed at number 38 in the BBC's poll of the 100 Greatest Britons. While he lived in London his entire life, except for three years spent in Felpham, he produced a diverse and symbolically rich collection of works, which embraced the imagination as "the body of God" or "human existence itself".

Songbooks, Arrangements and/or Media

Displaying 1-3 of 3 items.

Benjamin Britten : Songs and Proverbs of William Blake

The first performance of the Songs and Proverbs of William Blake Op.74 was given by Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau and Benjamin Britten at the Aldeburgh Festival on 24 June, 1965. Available here is Britten's fantastic song-cycle of pieces set to the lyrics and proverbs of William Blake, for Baritone Voice with Piano accompaniment. Titles: Proverb I * London * Proverb II * The Chimney-Sweeper * Proverb III * A Poison Tree * Proverb IV * The Tyger * Proverb V * The Fly * Proverb VI * Ah, Sunflower * Proverb VII * Every Night and every morn.

Bob Chilcott : Jazz Songs of Innocence

This vibrant collection presents five jazzy settings of poems from William Blake's Songs of Innocence. Chilcott challenges the expectation of the listener by setting each classic text in a different jazz-inspired style-from the laid-back swing of 'The Echoing Green' and ballad-like setting of 'The Lamb' to a lilting jazz waltz, 'The Little Boy Lost/The Little Boy Found'. The voices are underpinned by a stylistic piano part, which may be played as written or serve as a guide, and a part for bass and drum kit is available separately for jazz trio accompaniment. Ideal for performance individually or as a suite, these innovative songs will make a colourful addition to any concert programme.

Songlist: Piping down the valleys wild, The Lamb, The Little Boy Lost/The Little Boy Found, The Echoing Green, The Divine Image

Gabriel Jackson : The Voice of the Bard

.Using as its basis William Blake's eponymous poem from the Songs of Innocence and Experience, this work is largely celebratory in tone and employs a range of techniques and textures as a means of expression including glissandi, flowing melismatic passages, and exuberant homophonic sections. Commissioned by the BBC for the BBC Radio 3 Choir of the Year for 2006, Chantage and first performed by Chantage, directed by James Davey, at the British Composer Awards.

Individual Folios

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Alexander Johnson : Ah, Sunflower!

Blake's poem is one that is often analyzed because of the symbolism in his words. In the same way that the sunflower follows in search of the sun, so do we search for meaning in life. The music matches this pining as it climbs into poignant suspensions and settles into warm resolutions. This is a thoughtful piece for advanced choirs.

Composer: Alexander Johnson | Poetry By: William Blake

Gerald Custer : Cradle Song

This lovely lullaby on a text of William Blake is beautifully crafted by composer Gerald Custer. Scored for divisi mixed chorus with harp (or piano), try it for your lessons and carols service.

Composer: Gerald Custer | Poetry By: William Blake

Norman Luboff : Laughing Song

Composer: Norman Luboff | Poetry By: William Blake

Elaine Hagenberg : The Lamb

This tender setting of the William Blake poem is expressive with accessible, well-crafted voice parts and a delicate piano accompaniment. It is a perfect selection for building choral skills and for groups transitioning from SA to SSA music.

Composer: Elaine Hagenberg | Poetry By: William Blake

Debra Scroggins : The Lamb

Debra Scroggins' setting of a poem by William Blake is both stunning and gentle. The tight harmonies offer a lush and flowing soundscape that conveys warmth and tenderness perfectly suited to the text, 'Little lamb, dost thou know who made thee?'. The choral lines are accessible yet sophisticated, and the work is suitable for performance in churches and schools.

Composer: Debra Scroggins | Poetry By: William Blake

Barry Rose : The Lamb

The Lambis John Tavener's setting of a poem by William Blake, arranged here for unaccompanied upper voices by Barry Rose.

Arranger: Barry Rose | Composer: John Tavener | Poetry By: William Blake

William Blake : Tiger! Tiger!

Captivating. Adventurous. With just a hint of danger. This feisty minor key setting of William Blake's gripping poem immediately garners attention with a ferocious fanfare. Then a jaunty, detached piano motive (which later becomes a choral counterline), leads to contemporary choral writing firmly rooted in traditional techniques. Angular intervals and syncopated agitation provide energy, vim, and vigor. Guaranteed to be a highlight of rehearsals, concerts, contests, and festivals. Visit to download a free choral rehearsal guide: alfred.com/tigerrehearsalguide This title is available in SmartMusic.

Poetry By: William Blake

Nick Strimple : Two Flowers

Two Flowers, presents two contrasting, yet related, poems by William Blake, The Sick Rose, and Ah, Sunflower, in a single piece. Composed in a diatonic style with traditional, though slightly edgy harmonies, it is suitable for high school, college or community choirs. Much of the writing calls for soprano/tenor and alto/bass unison.

Composer: Nick Strimple | Poetry By: William Blake

William Bolcom : Why Was Cupid a Boy?

Commissioned by the New York Virtuoso Singers and its conductor Harold Rosenbaum for the Singers' 25th Anniversary. Why Was Cupid a Boy? is a short William Blake poem untied to one of the larger works, though it reprises a common theme in Blake: the bewilderment of Man faced with Love contrasted with Woman's relative comfort in it.

Composer: William Bolcom | Poetry By: William Blake