BC AD poem by U A Fanthorpe Music by Alan Cruise-Johnston set for SATB choir (but with sopranos low enough to allow it to be sung by AATB also) performed by the dwsChorale UA Fanthorpe, who died in 2009, was originally published by Peterloo Poe...  moreBC AD poem by U A Fanthorpe Music by Alan Cruise-Johnston set for SATB choir (but with sopranos low enough to allow it to be sung by AATB also) performed by the dwsChorale UA Fanthorpe, who died in 2009, was originally published by Peterloo Poets, who kindly gave me permission to reproduce her poem. The copyright has now been transferred to Enitharmon quoting "U A Fanthorpe New and Collected Poems, Enitharmon 2010" who have also kindly given permission. It is an unusual and quite modern view of the Christmas story The site where Alan published his music is currently offline but if you are interested in singing this piece, check back here for updates.  less

The published version is for SATBB a cappella - (with occasional splits) The performance for this video is by the composer multitracking as the dwsChorale arranged for male voices and instruments. A performance by a live choir (a cappella and at the co...  moreThe published version is for SATBB a cappella - (with occasional splits) The performance for this video is by the composer multitracking as the dwsChorale arranged for male voices and instruments. A performance by a live choir (a cappella and at the correct pitch) can be heard on the score page. The words are my own and tell of children playing in the dusty streets (ie of Bethlehem) unaware that a miracle has happened and asking them to look up to where the angels are singing.  

Composer and countertenor David Warin Solomons has sung many of his own choral works and the choral works of other composers by multitracking the parts on computer. He decided to call this one-man choir the dwsChorale. The range is bottom bass D to top a...  moreComposer and countertenor David Warin Solomons has sung many of his own choral works and the choral works of other composers by multitracking the parts on computer. He decided to call this one-man choir the dwsChorale. The range is bottom bass D to top alto e. Most recordings were done between 2005 and 2009. Only time will tell whether the dwsChorale will be revived, but David keeps composing anyway, so who knows....  

Audio downloadable at https://davidwarinsolomons.bandcamp.com/track/il-bianco-e-dolce-cigno Madrigal composed by Jacques Arcadelt (this may have been the inspiration for Orlando Gibbons' The Silver Swan) Performed by the dwsChorale Il bianco e dolc...  moreAudio downloadable at https://davidwarinsolomons.bandcamp.com/track/il-bianco-e-dolce-cigno Madrigal composed by Jacques Arcadelt (this may have been the inspiration for Orlando Gibbons' The Silver Swan) Performed by the dwsChorale Il bianco e dolce cigno cantando more, ed io piangendo giung' al fin del viver mio. The white and sweet swan dies singing, and I, weeping, reach the end of my life. Stran' e diversa sorte, ch'ei more sconsolato ed io moro beato. Strange and different fate, that he dies disconsolate and I die a blessed death, Morte che nel morire m'empie di gioia tutto e di desire. Se nel morir, altro dolor non sento, di mille mort' il di sarei contento. which in dying fills me full of joy and desire. If in dying, were I to feel no other pain, I would be content to die a thousand deaths a day. Videos taken along the Black Brook in Loughborough  less

Bernard Hughes’s music has been performed at major venues in Britain and abroad and received a number of broadcasts on BBC Radio 3. A CD of his choral music, I am the Song, was released in 2016 on Signum Classics. Bernard’s music featured on the Horrible ...  moreBernard Hughes’s music has been performed at major venues in Britain and abroad and received a number of broadcasts on BBC Radio 3. A CD of his choral music, I am the Song, was released in 2016 on Signum Classics. Bernard’s music featured on the Horrible Histories film Bill (2015), and he co-produced the album, Not Now, Bernard & Other Stories, performed Orchestra of the Swan and Alexander Armstrong, released in February 2020. In January 2020 Bernard’s choral music was featured in a portrait concert by the BBC Singers, and in November 2020 one of the pieces from that concert, I Sing of Love, was nominated by the Ivors Academy for an Ivors Composer Award. With Bernard's kind permission I am releasing this video of my multitrack performance of a part of his mass, dating from around 2006.  less

Thomas Weelkes' madrigal transposed down for men's voices and sung by the dwsChorale Originally published in Balletts and Madrigals, to Five Voyces, 1598. Hark, all ye lovely saints above Diana hath agreed with Love, His fiery weapon to remove. F...  moreThomas Weelkes' madrigal transposed down for men's voices and sung by the dwsChorale Originally published in Balletts and Madrigals, to Five Voyces, 1598. Hark, all ye lovely saints above Diana hath agreed with Love, His fiery weapon to remove. Fa la la. Do you not see How they agree? Then cease fair ladies; why weep ye? Fa la la. See, see, your mistress bids you cease, and welcome Love, with love's increase, Diana hath procured your peace. Fa la la. Cupid hath sworn His bow forlorn To break and burn, ere ladies mourn. Fa la la.  less

Music composed and performed by David W Solomons (multitrack - dwsChorale) Poem anon (with additional verse by Dave Dunning). Cartoons by Mark Haviland Duet on the anonymous poem about a centipede - she was quite happy with her hundred legs until a fro...  moreMusic composed and performed by David W Solomons (multitrack - dwsChorale) Poem anon (with additional verse by Dave Dunning). Cartoons by Mark Haviland Duet on the anonymous poem about a centipede - she was quite happy with her hundred legs until a frog asked her to think about which leg comes after which... The sound sample is sung by the composer in B flat. A version in D is also available It can be sung by two solo voices or by a choir of any kind  

Noel by Théophile Gautier setting for two altos and guitar poem translated into English by S N Solomons, music composed and performed (multitrack) by D W Solomons (dwsChorale) The sky is dark, the earth is white, oh bells ring out with joy Je...  moreNoel by Théophile Gautier setting for two altos and guitar poem translated into English by S N Solomons, music composed and performed (multitrack) by D W Solomons (dwsChorale) The sky is dark, the earth is white, oh bells ring out with joy Jesus is born, the Virgin quiet shelters her baby boy. Noel Noel Noel bells ring out with joy! No wraps No festooned curtains spread to shield the child from frost nothing but flimsy spider webs trail from the beams aloft. He shivers in that cold stable this Jesus child so dear, and so to warm him in the cradle, the ass and ox draw near. The snow hangs down in lacy fringe. But far above the heavens swell reveal the angel choir that sings to men Noel Noel  less

Setting by William Walton of the poem by Phineas Fletcher "Drop slow tears", transposed for men's voices and sung by the one-man choir dwsChorale

Setting from Alfred Lord Tennyson's "In Memoriam" by CHH Parry sung by the dwsChorale (multitracking one-man choir) There rolls the deep where grew the tree O earth, what changes hast thou seen! There, where the long street roars, hath been The sti...  moreSetting from Alfred Lord Tennyson's "In Memoriam" by CHH Parry sung by the dwsChorale (multitracking one-man choir) There rolls the deep where grew the tree O earth, what changes hast thou seen! There, where the long street roars, hath been The stillness of the central sea The hills are shadows, and they flow From form to form, and nothing stands; They melt like mist, the solid lands Like clouds they shape themselves and go But in my spirit will I dwell and dream my dream, and hold it true; For though my lips may breathe adieu I cannot think the thing farewell  less