Madrigals and Partsongs (Oxford Choral Classics Collections)

Madrigals and Partsongs (Oxford Choral Classics Collections)

This book contains 59 of the finest examples of the secular choral repertoire, ranging from the late 15th to the 20th century and spanning all the major European countries. All the pre-twentieth-century pieces are in completely new editions going back to the earliest and most reliable sources. Includes English translations and playable keyboard reductions. Some items from this volume are available separately in the Oxford Choral Classics Octavo series. 'An attractive feature of Bartlett's editing here is the discreet inclusion of translations in small, italicised text underneath the piano reduction - a much neater solution than the usual rummage round to the index, and more immediate for the performers . . . One of the best features of the volume is the considerable, informative commentary at the back, with detailed historical and editorial comment on each item - Bartlett's polymath skills really come into their own here. The score-setting is a model of clarity throughout. Overall, while clearly not intended to break any particularly fresh ground, the volume should have a ready market, particularly among the many mixed-voice, small- to medium-sized chamber choirs for whom this repertoire is staple fare.' Matthew Greenall, The Singer April 2002'For me, opening the attractively-produced volume and running my finger down the list of contents was rather like renewing acquaintance with numerous old friends . . . Selecting the 59 pieces for inclusion in this volume can't have been easy, but Bartlett is to be applauded on the catholicity of his choice and on the informative commentary in which the scholarship is worn lightly. The inclusion of literal English translations (a welcome feature of an increasing number of modern editions) will assist singers when preparing the foreign-language pieces for performance as will the carefully prepared keyboard reductions. All in all, this volume can be recommended unhesitatingly to choirs large and small with singers experienced or less so - it is incredibly good value for money.' Christopher Field, Music Teacher, Sept 2002'There is an excellent commentary on each of the 59 compositions which reads like a history of choral development and any group of singers contemplating programme planning would be well advised to read this through. It is both erudite and informative in such a lucid and helpful way that any criticism of elitism or academic stuffiness would be quite out of place and would entirely miss the point of encouraging us to bring about thoughtful and expert performances. Indeed, the whole book is beautifully set out, easy to read and in the unaccompanied pieces, a keyboard reduction is a further aid to learning . . . Here I must mention that there are no daft translations into execrable English but merely the original text with an unobtrusive literal message of its content. Thus one hears the full force of the beauty of the foreign tongue with its individual sound, shape and emphasis which adds so much colour and vitality in performance . . . contcont . . . 'There is enough material in the 384-page book to make up a dozen delightful and fulfilling programmes and, if the reader needed further proof of this, surely I need only mention that Elgar, Dowland, Lassus, Delius, Gibbons, Monteverdi, Finzi - even Haydn and Schubert are all well represented. Madrigals and Partsongs is a masterly addition to the choral repertoire and I sincerely hope that OUP will initiate a follow up.' Grayston Burgess, Choir and Organ, May/June 2002 John Rutter studied music at Clare College, Cambridge and first came to notice as a composer and arranger of Christmas carols and other choral pieces during those early years; today his compositions, including such concert-length works as Requiem, Magnificat, Mass of the Children, The Gift of Life, and Visions are performed around the world. John edits the Oxford Choral Classics series, and, with Sir David Willcocks, co-edited four volumes of Carols for Choirs. In 1983 he formed his own choir The Cambridge Singers, with whom he has made numerous recordings on the Collegium Records label, and he appears regularly in several countries as a guest conductor and choral ambassador. John holds a Lambeth Doctorate in Music, and in 2007 was awarded a CBE for services to music. In September 2023, he received the Ivors Academy Fellowship, and in 2024 he was knighted in the King's Birthday Honours.