The music of Disney's Mary Poppins lives on and on and has recently has made headlines with its new adaptation for the stage by legendary producer Cameron Mackintosh. Here's the gentle memorable ballad in an accessible version for developing groups by Robert Longfield.

These arrangements were written for string ensembles in primary and secondary schools music centres prep schools and for various ensembles at Charterhouse. They grew out of a need for playable yet musically challenging arrangements where maximum 'effect' is obtained by using naturally resonant keys and idiomatic bowings - and have been used and honed over many years. They also recognise the fact that in many schools Viola players are scarce; most of the easier arrangements are therefore in three parts with optional Viola and optional double bass.

These arrangements were written for string ensembles in primary and secondary schools music centres prep schools and for various ensembles at Charterhouse. They grew out of a need for playable yet musically challenging arrangements where maximum 'effect' is obtained by using naturally resonant keys and idiomatic bowings - and have been used and honed over many years. These also recognise the fact that in many schools Viola players are scarce; most of the easier arrangements are therefore in three parts with optional Viola (doubling second Violin) and optional Double Bass (Viola still optional) which can be played if necessary by a Cellist (special part provided). Thearrangements ensure that all departments have the tune or thematic material at some stage - not just the first Violins. Written with the development of young players' technique in mind. Arrangements of 'real' music providing worthwhile musical challenges. No independent Viola part (optional Double Bass and Viola parts provided.) All parts get a go at the tune!

This piece owes its title and much of its elegiac but optimistic character to a poem by Mary Webb. Webb's fine lyric verse is echoed in the song-like directness and simplicity of form captured in this single movement work.

One of the best-loved and most endearing works of the late Baroque Vivaldi's set of Violin Concertos The Four Seasons Op.8 are presented here in an authoritative Barenreiter Urtext edition. This publication of Vivaldi’s masterpiece is a critical performing edition of the Manchester manuscript source which originates from Vivaldi’s circle and represents an alternative (in many cases more explicit) version of these famous concertos than the first printed edition published by Le Cene in Amsterdam in 1725.The Manchester source has until now not been used as the primary basis for a modern performing edition andoffers new readings and evidence for players and listeners alike.With Christopher Hogwood’s new edition a fresh gust of wind has taken hold of The Four Seasons.

One of the best-loved and most endearing works of the late Baroque Vivaldi's set of Violin Concertos The Four Seasons Op.8 are presented here in an authoritative Barenreiter Urtext edition. This publication of Vivaldi’s masterpiece is a critical performing edition of the Manchester manuscript source which originates from Vivaldi’s circle and represents an alternative (in many cases more explicit) version of these famous concertos than the first printed edition published by Le Cene in Amsterdam in 1725.The Manchester source has until now not been used as the primary basis for a modern performing edition andoffers new readings and evidence for players and listeners alike.With Christopher Hogwood’s new edition a fresh gust of wind has taken hold of The Four Seasons.

The composer writes:Pilgrim was inspired it will be no surprise to learn by reading Bunyan's Pilgrim's Progress - Vaughan Williams's great opera on the subject had fascinated me from its first performance yet it was a long time before I caught up with this essential item in any well-stocked library of English classics. It made a great impression not least because of its theme of a journey of self-discovery and a rediscovery or renewal of faith. These are ideas which have a strong interest for me not in religious terms but in their application to every aspect of human life (including great journeys) and this piece reflects my response in musical terms to this concern. The tempo of the whole piece which lasts about 18 minutes is basically slow. There are two quick episodes but these act somewhat like the trio sections of a classical scherzo save that the tempo relationships are inverted (the classical trios would have been slower not quicker) and the canvas is much larger being that of a single substantial slow movement. The form of the whole is perhaps fantasia-like rather than having any relationship to classical forms such as sonata or rondo - some motifs and themes are varied as the work develops and the opening chords are of primary importance throughout the work. There has been no attempt to convey any pictorial elements deriving from Bunyan's great book. There is however one feature which upon completion of the score struck me with some force which is that almost all the thematic material is essentially striving upwards - there is a constant upward movement (sometimes over a lengthy period) throughout the work. Pilgrim was commissioned by the Luton Music Club for the Raphael Ensemble with funds provided by the Eastern Arts Board and Bedfordshire County Council and is dedicated to the Luton Music Club. The first performance was given in Luton on February 10th 1997 and followed as part of a joint scheme by performances in the same week at the Music Clubs of Bedford and Leighton Buzzard.

The composer writes:Pilgrim was inspired it will be no surprise to learn by reading Bunyan's Pilgrim's Progress - Vaughan Williams's great opera on the subject had fascinated me from its first performance yet it was a long time before I caught up with this essential item in any well-stocked library of English classics. It made a great impression not least because of its theme of a journey of self-discovery and a rediscovery or renewal of faith. These are ideas which have a strong interest for me not in religious terms but in their application to every aspect of human life (including great journeys) and this piece reflects my response in musical terms to this concern. The tempo of the whole piece which lasts about 18 minutes is basically slow. There are two quick episodes but these act somewhat like the trio sections of a classical scherzo save that the tempo relationships are inverted (the classical trios would have been slower not quicker) and the canvas is much larger being that of a single substantial slow movement. The form of the whole is perhaps fantasia-like rather than having any relationship to classical forms such as sonata or rondo - some motifs and themes are varied as the work develops and the opening chords are of primary importance throughout the work. There has been no attempt to convey any pictorial elements deriving from Bunyan's great book. There is however one feature which upon completion of the score struck me with some force which is that almost all the thematic material is essentially striving upwards - there is a constant upward movement (sometimes over a lengthy period) throughout the work. Pilgrim was commissioned by the Luton Music Club for the Raphael Ensemble with funds provided by the Eastern Arts Board and Bedfordshire County Council and is dedicated to the Luton Music Club. The first performance was given in Luton on February 10th 1997 and followed as part of a joint scheme by performances in the same week at the Music Clubs of Bedford and Leighton Buzzard.

This collection of carefully graded ensemble music features: Traditional tunes and new compositions with flexible scoring for anything from string quartet to full string orchestra. Photocopiable pupil parts together with a full score and a piano score. Very easy parts allowing even beginners to experience group music-making.

A colourful piece culminating in an exciting sea battle between the English and the French at the time of Henry VIII / Orchestre A Cordes