Andantino-English Dances Set I opus 27 is a light classic composition that was written for orchestra by the British composer Malcolm Arnold in 1950. The set contains four dances that continue without pause: the individual movements are indicated by the tempo markings. The work came about at the request of Bernard de Nevers at the time the head of publisher Alfred Lengnick

John Bacchus Dykes (1823-1876) a composé la mélodie Nicaea pour accompagner le magnifique texte de louange Holy holy holy! écrit par Reginald Heber. L'hymne conna?t un succ¬s universel d¬s sa publication dans le psautier Hymns Ancient and Modern en 1861. Philip Sparke a repris cette cél¬bre mélodie pour composer Variants on an English Hymn Tune qui se présente sous la forme traditionnelle d'un air varié dont la structure comporte une introduction un th¬me et une suite de trois variations sur le th¬me.

Isaac Watts (1674-1748) wrote the lyrics of 'There is a land of pure delight' and is known as the 'Father of English Hymnody'. Watts was for the English hymn as Ambrose was for the medieval Latin hymn and what Martin Luther was for the German chorale. He wrote about 750 songs and some of them survide the ravahes of time. (Joy To The World When I survey the wondrous cross I sing the Mighty Power of God) 'There is a Land of Pure Delight' is usually in English-speaking areas sung on Luther Orlando Emerson's melody ('Ascription'). Here is used a traditional English melody ('Mendip'). There is a land of pure delight Wheresaints immortal Reign. Infinite day excludes the night And pleasures banish pain.

‘God rest ye merry Gentlemen’ is an ancient English carol. It was first published in 1833 but it can be traced as far back as the 15th century which makes it one of the oldest carols known. ‘God rest ye merry’ is a Middle English salutation. In this manner people wished one another greatness and might. In modern English the first line of this carol would read ‘May God keep you mighty gentlemen’. Andrew R. Mackereth has not kept to the original words in his up-tempo arrangement of the carol. It is still clearly recognizable but the arranger has taken a good many liberties. Sometimes a particular note is held longer at times motifs follow oneanother in various parts. If you listen carefully you may even be able to detect a motif from another well-known song.

In English-speaking countries ‘Away in a Manger’ is one of the first Christmas songs to be taught to little children. It is a moving song with simple words which makes it easy to understand. The song is also known as ‘Luther’s Cradle Hymn’. This suggests that Martin Luther was the author of the lyrics. According to researchers however this is a misconception – the author is unknown. In England ‘Away in a Manger’ is sung to a different melody than in the USA for example. The ‘English’ melody was composed by W.J. Kirkpatrick. Andrew Mackereth made a touching arrangement of the ‘English’ melody which suits the tender lyrics perfectly.

Dances and Alleluias was commissioned by the British Federation of Brass Bands for the inaugural English National Brass Band Championships held in the Lyric Theatre at The Lowry Salford Quays on July 1st 2006. In this fantastic work the composer mixes wonderful slow music vocal in nature and ecstatic in mood along with faster dances to create a challenging piece which will bring out the best in any band.

Dances and Alleluias was commissioned by the British Federation of Brass Bands for the inaugural English National Brass Band Championships held in the Lyric Theatre at The Lowry Salford Quays on July 1st 2006. In this fantastic work the composer mixes wonderful slow music vocal in nature and ecstatic in mood along with faster dances to create a challenging piece which will bring out the best in any band.

Gawan Roberts wrote this march in 2001 on the occasion of the play Brassed Off which took place in the Frisian village of Jorwert. The march has been written in the virtuosic English brass band style. Gawan Roberts schreef deze mars in 2001 ter gelegenheid van de opvoering van het toneelstuk Brassed Off wat plaats vond in het Friese dorpje Jorwerd.De mars is geschreven in de virtuoze Engelse brass band stijl.

Arthur Bliss was born in London on 2 August 1891. For over 50 years he was a familiar and central figure on the English musical scene. He was educated at Rugby and at Pembroke College Cambridge where he studied with Charles Wood. He attended the Royal College of Music for a single term before the First World War broke out and interrupted his studies for the duration.Fanfares composed for the wedding of HRH Princess Margaret in Westminster Abbey 1960.The Sovereign’s FanfareFanfare for the BrideInterlude (this can be played before the National Anthem in A.)Royal FanfareA wedding FanfareRoyal Fanfare