National Youth Choir of Great Britain

The National Youth Choir of Great Britain is widely regarded as one of the finest youth choirs in the world, as recent reviews testify. In fact there are now three choirs, the Senior Choir for young people aged from 16 to 22, the Training Choir for students of Secondary School age, and Laudibus, a chamber choir of professional standard. A British Youth Choir existed in the 1970s, directed by David Clover and administered from the city of Sheffield. In 1979 Carl Browning was appointed music adviser to Sheffield as David's successor and took over the British Youth Choir, asking Mike Brewer to be Musical Director. The first BYC course under new management was in 1981. The name was changed to National Youth Choir in '83 to bring the choir in line with our National Youth Orchestra and to change the choir's format to being a highly selected group, representative of all regions of Britain.

Michael Brewer was Director of Music Chetham's, Britains largest specialist music school, for 20 years. During that time he became firmly established as a leading figure in the choral music world. In January 1995 Michael took the decision to leave Chetham's to concentrate on his demanding schedule of choral activities in Britain and abroad. Michael came to choral prominence by winning the international radio competition Let the People's Sing twice, firstly with the Latymer Madrigal Group and then with Chetham's own Chamber Choir. Since then he has undertaken workshops and concerts throughout the world. A busy adjudicator, Michael also gives regular masterclasses for singers and teachers. He is Musical Director of the National Youth Choir of Great Britain, a board member of the British Federation of Young Choirs and the Association of British Choral Directors. Michael was awarded the OBE in the 1995 New Year Honours List

Discography

British Choral Music

Requiem (Priaulx Rainier, 1903-1986): - Part I - Part II - Part III On a Deserted Shore (Francis Roth, 1927-): - Andanta - Allegro - Vivace - Passacaglia, Andante maestoso Three Partsongs (Alan Rawsthorne, 1905-1971): - A Rose for Lidice (1956) - The Oxen (1965) - Canzonet (1953)

The British choral music featured on this CD is dynamic. The opening Requiem by Priaulx Rainier is for tenor solo and unaccompanied choir. This very demanding piece was first performed by Peter Pears and the Purcell Singers. Based on the poem by David Gascoyne, the piece was written for the future victims of World War II. On A Deserted Shore, by Francis Routh, for soprano solo, double choir, semi-chorus, two pianos and percussion is a lament on the death of a loved one. The Three Partsongs by Alan Rawsthorne are also incredibly gorgeous. These incredibly difficult pieces are superbly performed by the National Youth Choir of Great Britain, conducted by Michael Brewer. The featured soloists are Eileen Hulse, soprano and Mark Wilde, tenorperformances of great music.

7178 CD $15.98

Madrigals and Partsongs

Summer is y-coming in (de Pearsall) Great God of love (de Pearsall) Nights of music (Wood) The whispering waves (Wood) The widow bird (Wood) If love be dead (Wood) Come, sleep (Wood) Song for a dance (Wood) As the moon's soft splendor (Wood) When thou art nigh (Wood) A clear midnight (Wood) How dear to me (Wood) The nymph's fawn (Wood) Hence away, begone! (Wood) Full fathom five (Wood) Music, when soft voices die (Wood) How sweet the tuneful bells (Wood) When winds that move not (Wood) Light of my soul (de Pearsall) Lay a garland (de Pearsall)

The music of Robert L. de Pearsall and Charles Wood is not very well known today, but definitely deserves a listen. Pearsall was a former lawyer who gave up the law after a stroke. He became interested in early music, particularly 16th century counterpoint. Wood is mainly known for his church music, but was very interested in secular music as well. The madrigals and part songs featured are quite nice and would be of interest to any choir looking for something different. They are wonderfully performed here by the very talented National Youth Choir of Great Britain.

7179 CD $15.98

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