Parry: 6 Part-Songs

The Faber Carol Book is an exciting volume of Christmas carols and songs with an original contemporary twist designed to breathe fresh air into Christmas concerts. It contains forty pieces expertly edited and arranged by Gwyn Arch and Ben Parry capturing a variety of moods and styles through time – from contemporary arrangements of medieval and traditional carols to spirituals and music from around the world. There is also an impressive line-up of original pieces by some of today’s most highly respected choral composers including Howard Goodall Lin Marsh Peter Gritton Errollyn Wallen and Mike Brewer.This is the first of twoseparate volumes arranged in the SA(B) format of the Faber Young Voices series it is perfect for youth choirs or amateur adult choirs who have a dearth of male voices. An SATB version is also available - 0571521274. Both publications include undemanding keyboard accompaniment and suggestions for optional instrumental lines.

Parry's Songs of Farewell were composed over the final decade of his life. The elegiac tone of the Songs may also reflect a sense of loss caused by the First World War - in which some of Parry's most promising students at the Royal College of Music lost their lives - and a decline in national confidence expressed in a different manner in Parry's famous Jerusalem of 1916. The motets are among Parry's most eloquent and concise works and deservedly form part of the rich canon of British choral music. This edition by Associate Professor Robert Quinney Director of the Choir ofNew College Oxford is the first to offer a critical assessment of the autograph manuscripts held in the Bodleian Library Oxford. It offers a significant earlier version of a section of the fourth motet rescored passages from the fifth helpful notes on performance and supporting online materials. A comprehensive and practical edition it also provides a clear and elegant presentation of the text.

Par PARRY BEN. This Spiritual Medley comprises three songs that speak of a journey through trial to eventual salvation and liberty. It should gradually gather pace and energy from a slightly more reflective start, though retaining a lively feel throughout. All My Trials developed into a popular protest song in the 1950s and 60s and has been recorded by, amongst others, Joan Baez, Paul McCartney and Elvis Presley. By and By is a more upbeat song with plenty of syncopated rhythms and more forthright dynamics – it should be sung and played with lots of energy. The medley ends with I Want Jesus to Walk With Me, a true ‘pilgrim journey’ full of trials and breaking hearts, but never giving up on hope and final deliverance. The tempo should really pick up for this final section, galvanised by the walking bass line and more jazzy harmonies, and reaching its climax in the final few measures. This piece is part of the Faber Choral Singles series, offering a selection of beautifully crafted arrangements in a diversity of musical styles. From Broadway, pop and folk to spirituals, gospel and original works, the series is arranged for 3-part choir (soprano, alto and a combined male-voice part) providing flexibility for any choir. Complete with straight-forward piano accompaniments supporting the vocal lines, the Faber Choral Singles series guarantees the perfect repertoire for every occasion – so get exploring and get singing! / Choral Music / Répertoire / Voix Mixtes SAB et Piano

Adapted from movement from a suite by C. Hubert H. Parry, this tuneful, quintessentially British melody, easily associated with the 19th Century England's vast reserve of folk-songs provides a wonderful vehicle for teaching style and musicality. The cello part is playable by a high school player. / Choeur SSA Et Violoncelle

Holst's collection of Twelve Welsh Folk Songs was published in 1931 with the lyrics translated into English by Steuart Wilson. Two of these are presented here scored for SAB three-partchorus with a Piano reduction provided for rehearsal purposes. Gustav Holst (1874-1934) was an English composer and teacher. Having studied under Stanford and Parry he became a close friend of Vaughan Williams they would often critique each other’s work and influenced composers such as Tippet and Britten. He is best remembered for his Planets suite.

At The Boar's Head (Op. 42) is an opera by Gustav Holst described by the composer as 'A Musical Interlude In One Act'. The libretto also by Holst is taken from Shakespeare's plays Henry IV Part 1 and Henry IV Part 2. It was written in 1924 based on folk songs and traditional country dance tunes and first performed in 1925.Gustav Holst (1874-1934) was an English composer and teacher. Having studied under Stanford and Parry he became a close friend of Vaughan Williams they would often critique each other’s work and influenced composers such as Tippet and Britten. He is best remembered for hisPlanets suite.