A Choral Suite for Two Part (Soprano and Alto) Children's Chorus setting the text of George Mackay Brown. This enchanting 12-minute cycle is typical of the subtle and delicate way Maxwell-Davies approaches writing forchildren: straightforward tender affectionate yet with just a hint of the complexity found in challenging 'adult' works like the cycle Westerlings. George Mackay Brown's poetry with its haiku-like short stanzas and pointillisteallusive imagery leaves you constantly intrigued : who is the boy 'lost on the hill till sundown' and why is time 'a bird with white wings?' Is this perhaps the poet himself playing a bit of holiday truant?

True to the sprightly percussive character of Orbans music this work for unaccompanied treble chorus in four parts is sure to become a hit for all ages!Translation:Philomel O Philomel adorable and bright singing singing in the night.Rattling a leaf and trembling a nest:lo it is smoldering the light of the west.Cherry berry cherry berry cherry berry lines little road main road folded twines.Leopard ocelot: shade of a catwind of the north: the wings of bat.Two miles three miles midnight whirl why do you tag me tear me curl?Philomel O Philomel aquiet in the thorn silent silent in the morn.

The text for these two companion pieces might provide an opportunity to do some teaching on the importance of proper punctuation. For a little comic relief try this winner with your women's choir.