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Shakespeare Choral Music
| The texts of William Shakespear arranged for harmony voices |
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Songbooks, Arrangements and/or Media
Displaying 1-15 of 15 items.
Amy Beach : Three Shakespeare Songs Clear-textured settings of the fairies' songs from A Midsummer Night's Dream and The Tempest, these songs are lavishly effective in their text setting, harmony, rhythm, and dynamics. The beauty of sound of women's voices shines through these pieces. First published in 1897. Songlist: Over Hill, Over Dale, Come unto These Yellow Sands,, Through the House Give Glimmering Light 
Bob Chilcott : Shall I compare thee Shall I compare thee? is a collection of ten exquisite settings for mixed voices, specially commissioned to celebrate the four hundredth anniversary of William Shakespeare's death. The volume pays tribute to Britain's greatest writer, presenting a selection of his finest texts set to music by some of today's most accomplished choral composers. Accompanied and unaccompanied settings Songlist: The Bird of Dawning, Fear no more the heat o' th' sun, I know a bank where the wild thyme blows, It was a lover and his lass, Shall I compare thee to a summer's day?, Sigh no more, ladies, Come away, come away death, When that I was and a little tiny boy, If music be the food of love, Touch her soft lips and part
Bob Chilcott : Hark, Hark, the Lark Hark, hark, the lark is a collection of eight exquisite settings for upper voices, specially commissioned to celebrate the four hundredth anniversary of William Shakespeare's death. The volume pays tribute to Britain's greatest writer, presenting a selection of his finest texts set to music by some of today's most accomplished choral composers. Songlist: And will he not come again?, Blow, blow, thou winter wind, Come unto these yellow sands, Hark, hark, the lark, Our revels now are ended, Over hill, over dale, When icicles hang by the wall, You spotted snakes with double tongue
David Willcocks : Five Shakespeare Songs Five Shakespeare Songs brings together the work of the late Sir David Willcocks ('England's choir master') and the Bard, in a suite of well-loved upper-voice pieces with favourite texts, optional readings, and music of unsurpassed charm. With accompaniments for piano or for strings and piano, the songs can be performed with a newly discovered accompaniment for piano quintet. The effect is a concert piece worthy of the world's stage.
David Wordsworth (editor) : The Novello Shakespeare Choral Collection Music played an enormous role in the works of William Shakespeare, while his own sonnets, poems and soliloquies have provided continuing inspiration for many composers through the years. The Novello Shakespeare Choral Collection, inspired by the 400th anniversary of the Bard's death in 2016, is an exciting anthology of choral works that are settings of Shakespeare's words. For choirs of all types and abilities, this collection has been edited by David Wordsworth so that all the pieces are fantastic both to sing and hear. The collection features some beautiful settings that have well and truly stood the test of time. These songs truly are a joy to perform, with some relatively simple arrangements that are purely fun to sing, while some more complex settings that will be thoroughly rewarding for choirs and audiences alike. The Novello Shakespeare Choral Collection is an essential anthology of stunning settings of beautiful words which will be performed and enjoyed for many years to come. Songlist: Blow, Blow, Thou Winter Wind, Hymn For Shakespeare's Birthday, Lo, Here, The Gentle Lark, O, How Much More, Four Rounds To Shakespeare Texts, It Was A Lover And His Lass, Tell Me Where Is Fancy Bred, Who Is Silvia?, Rosemary, If We Shadows Have Offended, Be Not Afeard, Shall I Compare Thee To A Summer's Day?, How Sweet The Moonlight Sleeps, Weary With Toil, I Haste Me To My Bed, Ophelia's Lament, Sigh No More, Ladies, A Summer Sonnet, Orpheus With His Lute, Light Thickens, Fear No More, Fear No More, Look In Thy Glass, Orpheus, Daffodils, O Mistress Mine, Full Fathom Five
Giles Swayne : Three Shakespeare Songs A re-engraved and re-edited copy of the 1969 set of pieces for unaccompanied mixed voices, including Where The Bee Sucks and Full Fathom Five. Songlist: Full Fathom Five, Hark Hark the Lark, Where the Bee Sucks
Jill Gallina : Shake It Up with Shakespeare Shake It Up With Shakespeare is part of the Rise and Shine Series. This musical for 2-part voices will provide your students with a fun and unforgettable introduction to English literature's most famous writer, William Shakespeare. Shakespeare not only wrote a wide range of plays and sonnets that touch upon all aspects of the human condition, he also created words and phrases that are still very much a part of our everyday language. Through the use of an easily memorized rhyming script and a healthy sprinkling of his most famous quotes, this musical serves as the basis for an overview of five well-known Shakespearean plays. The opening song is followed by five musical selections that highlight the essence of the plays featured: two comedies, two tragedies and one history. Along with his ability to expose the darker aspects of human nature, Shakespeare also demonstrated a gift for highlighting the humorous side of everyday life. The six original songs written for this musical are more reflective of the latter perspective of his works. The Enhanced Teacher Edition includes piano/vocal arrangements, rhyming program script as well as choreography, prop, staging and performance suggestions. The enclosed CD-ROM offers reproducible singer and speaking parts. A performance/accompaniment CD is available separately or in a kit with the enhanced Teacher edition. Suggested for Grades 2-5. Performance Time: 20 minutes. Songlist: Henry The Eighth, Magical, Mystical, Mistaken Identity, Shake It Up With Shakespeare, Star-Crossed Love, Witches' Brew
Matthew Harris : Shakespeare Songs, Book 7 This is the latest - and 7th - in an a cappella series going back three decades in which the texts are taken from Shakespeare's plays. Come Unto These Yellow Sands is a gentle invitation to the listener, at least until the animals take over. Thou Canst Not Hit It, in this interpretation, is a song about trying to hit the high and low notes. Surrounded by comedy and tragedy, Honour, Riches, Marriage-Blessing is the idyllic center of the set. O Sweet Oliver, with its dueling boy and girl choirs, leads into Willow, Willow, where the poem's word repetitions inspire the driving rhythm. Songlist: Come Unto These Yellow Sands, Honour, Riches, Marriage, Blessing, O Sweet Oliver, Thou Canst Not Hit It, Willow, Willow
Matthew Harris : Shakespeare Songs, Book I Shakespeare Songs Book I is part of a 6-book series. This book contains: Hark, Hark, The Lark; Full Fathom Five; Who Is Silvia?. Songlist: Full Fathom Five, Who Is Silvia?, Hark! Hark! The Lark (Schubert)
Matthew Harris : Shakespeare Songs, Book II Shakespeare Songs Book II is part of a 6-book series. This book contains: Take, O, Take Those Lips Away; Tell Me Where Is Fancy Bred; Under the Greenwood Tree; Come Away, Come Away, Death. Songlist: Under The Greenwood Tree, Tell Me Where Is Fancy(Gilbert), Take O Take Those Lips(Beach Hha
Matthew Harris : Shakespeare Songs, Book III Shakespeare Songs Book III is part of a 6-book series of musical settings of Shakespeare. This book contains: It Was a Lover and His Lass; You Spotted Snakes; Sigh No More, Ladies; O Mistress Mine. This book is an award winning collection. Songlist: It Was A Lover And His Lass, Sigh No More, O Mistress Mine, Op. 6, No. 2
Matthew Harris : Shakespeare Songs, Book IV Shakespeare Songs Book IV is part of a 6-book series of musical settings of Shakespeare. This book contains: Blow, Blow Thou Winter Wind; And Will A' Not Come Again?; When Daffodils Begin to Peer.
Matthew Harris : Shakespeare Songs, Book VI This collection is sixth in a series of musical settings of lyrics to songs in Shakespeare's plays. This grouping opens with When Daisies Pied, in a colorful madrigalian style, followed by the more ominous Fear No More, and concluding with the sprightly Where the Bee Sucks, There Suck I. Duration: ca. 7:30. Songlist: Fear No More, When Daisies Pied, Where The Bee Sucks
Nancy Wertsch : Shakespeare Suite The music here is meant to evoke the amorous thoughts and feelings of young lovers in Shakespeare's England. "It Was A Lover and His Lass" is a musical picture of a pair of happy young lovers meandering through the lush green countryside and enjoying the warmth of a spring day. It is obvious that these tow are a part of the total flowering spring. "Oh Mistress Mine" is a tender appeal by the young lover imploring his beloved to roaming and come to him. He employs various arguments to convince her that love should happen now and not later. His ardent desire is reflected in the music. However, at the end of the piece his love remains unrequited. In "Daffodils" there is so much youthful energy that it almost gets out of control. The key here is "tumbling." The whole piece goes in spurts and stops, with duddilly dum dum's and oo's containing little naughty thoughts here and there which can't say in words. All the chaos seems to come under control for awhile until the pent up energy bursts forth in "tumbling, tumbling, tumbling" and gleefully ends "as we go tumbling in the hay." Songlist: It Was A Lover and His Lass, Oh Mistress Mine, Daffodils
Ralph Vaughan Williams : Three Shakespeare Songs Here's a collection from the great English composer of his original arrangements of three Shakespeare songs, two from "The Tempest" and one from "Midsummer Night's Dream". These are classics! Songlist: Full Fathom Five, The Cloud Capp'd Towers, Overhill, over Dale |
Displaying 1-35 of 35 items.
Based on Benjamin Britten's opera A Midsummer Night's Dream, Op. 64, this 15-minute choral suite has been arranged and adapted, yet remains true to Britten's original score. The added introductory lines, using words of Shakespeare, help to frame each chorus. This work presents an excellent opportunity for young singers to experience the operatic works of a great twentieth century composer. Duration: ca. 15:00. Performed by Concert Choir of ANIMA, Lauren Sklar, conductor.
Arranger: Lee Kesselman | Composer: Benjamin Britten | Poetry By: William Shakespeare | Musical: A Midsummer Night's Dream
Experience the magic of Mendelssohn's music and the spell of Shakespeare's words in this sprightly setting adapted for chorus. An exciting challenge for treble choruses, it will be lots of fun to rehearse and perform! Duration: ca. 4:10.
Arranger: Emily Crocker | Composer: Felix Mendelssohn | Poetry By: William Shakespeare
One of Schubert's three settings of Shakespeare texts from July 1826, this new choral arrangement would be perfect for both high school and college choirs, as well as professional groups. Consider a group of Schubert songs for your next concert. Difficulty Level: Medium Advanced Adult.
Arranger: Ragnar Bohlin | Composer: Franz Schubert
The well-known Shakespeare poem in a dramatic setting, featuring an interesting treatment of the text. The tambourine adds a new color to the performance. For mature high school and college choirs. Duration: ca. 3:50.ÊJo-Michael Scheibe Choral Series.
Composer: Michael John Trotta | Poetry By: William Shakespeare
William Shakespeare's famous poem is treated with poignancy and depth in this marvelous musical setting for women's voices. The piano accompaniment adds its own voice to the work, which will be a stunning feature in your winter concert.
Arranger: Ruth Elaine Schram | Poetry By: William Shakespeare
Opening with swirling, undulating accompaniment and minor harmonies, this setting of Shakespeare's famous text from As You Like It then moves to a festive major key with the Heigh, ho, the holly section. Available separately: SATB, SAB, SSA. Duration: ca. 2:15.
Composer: John Purifoy | Poetry By: William Shakespeare
"I can live my life on earth contented to the end, if but a few shall . . . call me friend." "Success," by "people's poet" Edgar Guest is paired with a few lines from Shakespeareis "Sonnet 50" to create a warm, reflective text on the importance of friendship. Subtle tempo changes and sensitive dynamics encourage expressive singing, and an optional obbligato allows for a C-instrument of your choice.
Composer: Ruth Morris Gray | Poetry By: William Shakespeare
Verdi's opera Macbeth is based on William Shakespeare's theatrical tragedy of the same name. This third act chorus finds witches dancing and a diabolical spell being prepared. This new edition suggests tempo and dynamic markings. An accessible piano reduction is realized and a translation, pronunciation guide and editorial notes are provided.
Composer: Giuseppe Verdi | Poetry By: William Shakespeare | Musical: Macbeth
Shakespeare contemporary Christopher Marlowe's poem inspired this lighthearted work. An excellent choice for high school, college and community choirs. A given for the spring concert! Duration: ca. 3:25.
Composer: David C. Dickau | Poetry By: William Shakespeare
This jaunty little work is on a text from William Shakespeare's Love's Labour's Lost, one of his earliest comedies. The tongue-in-cheek text talks of married life and the woe that comes from being unable to pursue the frolicsome fruits of spring. Keeping with the profile of the Rollo Dilworth Choral Series, this piece is designed for upper level high school singers, honors choirs and festivals.
Composer: Dominick DiOrio | Poetry By: William Shakespeare
For a cappella SATB chorus (with divisi), this setting of Shakespeare's Sonnet 87 is full of longing and desire. Voices fit comfortably around the ranges of their parts, and will resonate beautifully within the warm, sonorous harmonic language of Wayland Rogers.
Composer: Wayland Rogers | Poetry By: William Shakespeare
With text from Shakespeare, this is a wonderful addition to the contest and festival repertiore. Performance Time: Approx. 4:00
Composer: Jeffrey Biegel | Poetry By: William Shakespeare
With text by Shakespeare, and a piano accompaniment that is both understated and elegant, the arrangement of Schubert lieder is a wonderful way to develop and showcase exquisite choral blend. Text in German and English.
Arranger: Wayland Rogers | Poetry By: William Shakespeare | Country: Germany
Inspired by the writing of William Shakespeare, If Music Be the Food of Love is a stunning contemporary choral that will move the musicianship of your seasoned choir to a new level. It opens expressively, with an artful solo, and builds to a breathtaking climax reminiscent of the finest operatic writing. Your accompanist will love playing the piano part, and your choir will cherish the soaring vocal lines. An unforgettable piece for concerts, contests, and festivals.
Composer: Andy Beck | Poetry By: William Shakespeare
This beautiful poem of love begins with 7 words from Shakespeare's Twelfth Night and then moves to Colonel Heveningham's original words. As the colorful imagery of the text unfolds, the music reflects the textual meaning. The music touches on several tonal centers and closes with a recap of the opening section with the final measures repeating the most poignant words of the poem - Sing on.
Composer: Rene Clausen | Poetry By: William Shakespeare
Set in a flowing triple meter, this poetic setting based on a line from Shakespeare's Twelfth Night has a sweeping, dramatic quality that will enchant choirs from high school to community. Accessible and very singable! Available separately: SATB, SAB, SSA. Duration: ca. 2:00.
Composer: John Purifoy | Poetry By: William Shakespeare
Featuring text by William Shakespeare and references to Thomas Morleyis madrigal Now Is the Month of Maying, this playful contemporary choral celebrates young love with sparkling vocal counterpoint. A satisfying yet supportive piano part and some delightful vocal interplay provide many moments of challenge and interest. Fitting for concert or contest.
Composer: Michael Larkin | Poetry By: William Shakespeare
This delightful setting of Shakespeare's well known whimsical celebration of springtime love will be a joy to perform! Dancing melodies dart and play over the brilliant piano textures for a superb choral showpiece!
Composer: Daniel Kallman | Poetry By: William Shakespeare
The deeply emotional balcony scene from the beloved classic by William Shakespeare is lovingly brought to life in this expressive and dramatic setting. A marvelous selection for high school through adult singers! Available for SATB, SAB. Duration: ca. 4:10.
Composer: John Purifoy | Poetry By: William Shakespeare
This brisk contemporary setting of Shakespeare's text from Much Ado About Nothing features playful triple/duple banter between the voice parts transitioning into a buoyant hey nonny, nonny refrain that builds to a spirited finale. Accessible and well-crafted! Duration: ca. 2:30.
Composer: Gary Walth | Poetry By: William Shakespeare
Sally Albrecht has taken a famous text from Much Ado About Nothing and set it to a charming, original melody for SSA voices. The piece has a madrigal-like quality, complete with a "hey nonny, nonny" section. It's a light commentary on men who are "deceivers ever; one foot on sea and one on shore." Fresh choral writing for SSA groups of any age.
Arranger: Sally K. Albrecht
Using Shakespeare's well-known text from As You Like It, Sherri has created a sonorous, energetic work for the male chorus. Her accompaniment is supportive, yet allows for vocal independence. A superb concert or festival piece.
Composer: Sherri Porterfield | Poetry By: William Shakespeare
Now available in an arrangement for upper voices, organ and optional cello, Song For Athene is a work by British composer John Tavener. The text is taken from Shakespeare's Hamlet, as well as from the Orthodox Funeral Service. The entire work lasts around 7 minutes.
Arranger: Barry Rose | Composer: John Tavener | Poetry By: William Shakespeare
Song For Athene, for unaccompanied SATB choir, was commissioned by the BBC and written in memory of Athene Hariades, who died in March 1993. The text is taken from Shakespeare's Hamlet and the Orthodox Funeral Service. The work was first performed at the funeral of Diana, Princess of Wales in September 1997 under the title Alleluia. May Flights of Angels Sing Thee to Thy Rest. Martin Neary conducted the Westminster Abbey Choir.
Composer: John Tavener | Poetry By: William Shakespeare
Sounds and Sweet Airs is a work by Paul Mealor for SATB Choir with hand-held Percussion and Accordion set to a text from Shakespeare's The Tempest. Commissioned by Ty Cerdd for the National Youth Choir of Wales's 2015 Tour of Argentina, it was first performed by them at Llandaff Cathedral on 24th July 2015.
Composer: Paul Mealor | Poetry By: William Shakespeare
In contemporary madrigal style, Daniel Pederson has eloquently set this Shakespeare love poem. This is a high school or college chamber chorus selection that would also be a wonderful festival selection. Caressing harmonies and free floating rhythms enhance this excellent composition.
Composer: Daniel Pederson | Poetry By: William Shakespeare
Here is the timeless text of love by William Shakespeare beautifully set for treble voices. The music is expressive and joyful and will surely speak to the singers as they explore the Constancy of Love in their lives and the world.
Composer: Andrew Jacobson | Poetry By: William Shakespeare
A celebration of William Shakespeare, and a glorious display of intertwining melodies and full-voiced harmony! Three movements, performable together or separately, set the Bard's own words on music. With piano and two trumpets.
Composer: Persis Anne Vehar | Poetry By: William Shakespeare
This three-in-one publication includes choral settings of three Shakespeare texts: "It Was a Lover and His Lass" (in a madrigal style), "Take, O, Take Those Lips Away" (a lush, slow setting), and "Under the Greenwood Tree" (a light, energetic 6/8 piece). These works are written exclusively for 3-part mixed voices and are very accessible for today's developing choirs. Outstanding literature for concert, festivals, or adjudications.
Composer: Sally K. Albrecht | Poetry By: William Shakespeare
This set of three choruses re-creates in music the nocturnal, magical atmosphere of Shakespeare's play: fairies and nature, lullaby and love. With piano.
Arranger: Cary Ratcliff | Poetry By: William Shakespeare
Ned Rorem has been described as The world's best composer of art songs, and these two contrasting and compelling works for chorus affirm this description. Dirge poignantly expresses the pain of unquiet love, while Live with Me, creates a somewhat playful mood. In 12/8, the vocals dance above the flowing sixteenth note arpeggios in the piano. Duration: ca. 3:30.
Arranger: Ned Rorem | Poetry By: William Shakespeare
Here's an accompanied contemporary madrigal with a lighthearted lilt, guaranteed to bring a smile. This sprightly setting capitalizes on the energy of Shakespeare's witty words from As You Like It. Repeated phrases and rhythmic motives are fun from start to finish. Optional cue notes add an upper harmony on the final refrain.
Arranger: Ruth Morris Gray | Poetry By: William Shakespeare
When Love Speaks is a piece composed by Owain Park, for his cycle Shakespeare Love Songs, commissioned by The Maesbury Singers. This work is arranged for unaccompanied SATB choir.
Composer: Owain Park
Independent vocal lines, rhythmic and pulsating accompaniment and a Shakespeare text, this is a teaching piece for your young choir. They will enjoy learning about the Shakespeare play As You Like It, they will love discovering the word painting found in the piano part, and be thrilled at the vocal independence they gain from learning and singing their lines.
Composer: Brandon Williams | Poetry By: William Shakespeare
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