SKU: ST.W226

ISBN 9790220223235.

Included in the Oxford Book of Ballads and ascribed to an anonymous 15th-century author, the tale of Joly Joly Wat the shepherd who offers the infant Christ his 'pipe, skirt, tarbox and scripe' is among the best-loved of traditional Christmas verses. Its musical reference offers an obvious attraction to composers, and in Bryan Kelly's new setting a sprightly ritornello embellished with trills is the musical counterpart to the young herdsman's musical instrument on which 'he made such joy.'

Written for Simon Williams and the Harrow Choral Society, Joly Joly Wat brings a fresh and lively note to seasonal choral concerts. The vocal writing is clear and straightforward, with occasional division of the sopranos, and an incisive and syncopated style that matches the shepherd-boy's haste to leave his flock and his faithful dog keeping his 'shepe fro ye corn' in order to visit the new-born Jesus.

SKU: BA.BA08521

ISBN 9790006563203. 27 x 19 cm inches. Key: E-flat minor. Text Language: Latin.

The “Missa brevis in E flat minor” for mixed choir a cappella has been composed in the tradition of the short Mass (without Credo) and can be easily managed by most choirs. Thanks to its conciseness, it is suitable for use in church services, while its delightful harmonic layout and consciously simple melodies (with clear allusions to folk music) also make it perfect for concert performance.

“My music is my own and I have never tried to be original. That has always been my motto and I have only tried to use music to express all the feelings which life has to offer. This has led people to describe my music as ‘so sad that it sounds like birds who have lost their wings’ but also as ‘the happiest classical music that we have ever heard‘.
My compositions are almost all sacred. They express not only my own faith but also my appreciation and respect for the timeless texts that have been used for centuries and centuries.“

Mårten Jansson (b. 1965), elected member of the Föreningen svenska tonsättare (the Society of Swedish Composers), graduated from the Royal College of Music, Stockholm (KHM) with an MFA degree in Music Education, Dalcroze Eurhythmics and Voice. For more than ten years he was the music director and conductor of “Carmen”, one of the most prominent womens’ vocal ensembles in Sweden. He currently teaches choral conducting and music theory as well as giving vocal tuition at the Bolandgymnasiet and Musikskolan in his home town of Uppsala.

Please find a recording of the “Missa brevis” performed by the Ensemble Sonoro, Neil Ferris (Conductor) by clicking on Multimedia.