Unlocking the Masters Series No. 4. Mozart was the first composer whose operas have never left the international repertoire and for many he remains one of the finest vocal composers who ever lived. In a sense all of his music is vocal music depending as it does on arresting singable melodies but in his great operas single arias and sacred works Mozart put his melodic gift to work revealing the subtleties and expressive potential of a wide range of texts in languages ranging from Italian to Latin to German. In every case he created masterpieces from operas such as The Marriage of Figaro Don Giovanni and The Magic Flute to the sacred choral motet Ave Verum Corpus and of course the unfinished Requiem his final project. This second Getting the Most Out of Mozart volume in our Unlocking the Masters series focuses on Mozart's great operas and other vocal works but also discusses numerous lesser-known compositions from operas he wrote as a child to insertion arias for favorite singers or operas by other composers. In each case David Hurwitz describes how the musical setting and choice of instruments supports the text. He takes readers through the seven major operas aria by aria showing how Mozart uses vocal style and orchestration to create believable and moving characters that remain the standard for characterization in music to which all composers and dramatists aspire. The accompanying CD from Telarc Records includes 14 works.

As a lily among thorns was composed as a wedding present for Katie Johnston and John Hillier in March 2004. It was performed at their marriage in Christ Church Cathedral Oxford and later performed publicly by Commotio directed by Matthew Berry. The words are taken from the Song of Songs.The Novello New Choral Series is an inspiring selection of new works from a range of contemporary composers offering pieces for all types of choirs including sacred and secular works from simple four-part settings to more expansive yet accessible repertoire in an exciting variety of styles. This collection is perfect for choirs looking to broaden theirrepertoire and explore some of the best new music around.Thomas Hyde (b.1978) studied at Oxford University where he gained a doctorate in composition in 2008 and the Royal Academy of Music. His teachers have included David Matthews Simon Bainbridge Peter Maxwell Davies and Robert Saxton. In October 2008 he was appointed Lecturer in Music at Worcester College Oxford and since September 2009 has been visiting lecturer in composition at City University London. Prizes include finalist in English National Opera’s young composer festival ‘New Visions New Voices’ (1992) the National School Band Association Prize (1993) and a Wingate Scholarship (2004-5). His music is performed regularly in Britain at festivals including Spitalfields City of London Presteigne Deal and Little Missenden as well as abroad and has been broadcast on BBC Radio 3. Recent works have included a string quartet for the Allegri Quartet and the one-man opera That Man Stephen Ward for the Hampstead & Highgate Festival.