SKU: ST.CN11P

ISBN 9790220224683.

Although the English madrigal has been fairly described by John Rutter as a completed historical form, its younger sibling the partsong still flourishes in the hands of sympathetic composers like Edmund Jolliffe, who can clothe secular texts with music a cappella that fits their sentiments like a glove. In fact John Donne's verse, though of a later period, receives a setting that might even be described as madrigalean in its sensitive response to verbal rhythm and feeling. And for anyone who treasures the heritage of music for chorus by English composers such as Walton and Britten, and indeed Rutter himself, Jolliffe's command of a tonal idiom that is rich in sensuous detail yet also broadly appealing is an additional pleasure.

SKU: ST.H486

ISBN 9790220224478.

CONTENTS
1. Baby
2. Brother
3. Grandmother
4. Grandfather
5. Mum
6. Dad

The composer has written extensively for film and television, and his gift for musical characterisation illuminates every bar of My Family and Other Animals. Here is a delightful human menagerie, a family circle with its typical variety of awkward and amiable relatives, beautifully portrayed in music of beguiling simplicity by Edmund Jolliffe. Technically, for beginners and early-grade players, there is an important lesson that musical expression is in essence the expression of personality, often from the most basic musical resources. Brother is a cool repeated phrase - a bit detached. Mum is a gentle lullaby, and Grandmother a soothing, dependable tune. Grandfather turns sweet too, but not before a spiky introduction. From his breezy melody Dad seems on his way elsewhere. Perhaps off to wash the car!