Par BLEZZARD JUDITH. Judith Blezzard This book looks at English church music from a new standpoint. It examines the relationship between English church music and the various types of other music that have influenced its development, revealing a vigorous tradition of interplay with extraneous musical material that is seldom apparent from the ways in which music is presented for church use. The borrowing of music from churches outside England is explored, and a large section is devoted to the often surprisingly ingenious ways in which secular music has, since the beginnings of the English church, been appropriated as music for worship - often with controversial results. From madrigal tomusic-hall, from plainsong to popular styles: these and many other kinds of music have lent both styles and material to sacred music with English texts. By examining these musical transformations, this book demonstrates that English church music is far from being an exclusively insular and retrospective repertory, as is often presumed to be the case. Although the book, with its use of musical examples, is designed primarily for the general musical reader - both amateur and professional, its broadly historical approach will appeal to those interested in English cultural heritage, the church, and its worship. ISBN 0 85249 784 9 Judith Blezzard This book looks at English church music from a new standpoint. It examines the relationship between English church music and the various types of other music that have influenced its development, revealing a vigorous tradition of interplay with extraneous musical material that is seldom apparent from the ways in which music is presented for church use. The borrowing of music from churches outside England is explored, and a large section is devoted to the often surprisingly ingenious ways in which secular music has, since the beginnings of the English church, been appropriated as music for worship - often with controversial results. From madrigal tomusic-hall, from plainsong to popular styles: these and many other kinds of music have lent both styles and material to sacred music with English texts. By examining these musical transformations, this book demonstrates that English church music is far from being an exclusively insular and retrospective repertory, as is often presumed to be the case. Although the book, with its use of musical examples, is designed primarily for the general musical reader - both amateur and professional, its broadly historical approach will appeal to those interested in English cultural heritage, the church, and its worship. ISBN 0 85249 784 9/ Livre / Livre

Herbert Howells was an English composer organist and teacher most famous for his large output of Anglican Church music. However for this reason his secular compositions tend to be unreasonably neglected. Thisedition of the Fantasy String Quartet has set out to change this. The delightful piece of chamber music makes full use of the unique characteristics of String instruments giving all four players equal parts andopportunities to shine separately as well as together as an ensemble. Possibly inspired by Vaughan Williams’ Phantasy Quintet the Fantasy String Quartet requires skilful mastery of their instrument from eachplayer. Performance time is ca. 13 minutes.