Shepherds, guarding your flocks
Produktdetaljer
Biographical note
Alan Bullard was born in London and studied with Herbert Howells at the Royal College of Music, and at Nottingham University. He enjoyed a successful career in music education; for many years he was Head of Composition at Colchester Institute, and is currently an examiner for ABRSM. He now devotes most of his time to composing, editing, and arranging. His music unfailingly appeals to both performers and audiences; he has written for all kinds of choirs, and instrumental works for a variety of ensembles and orchestras. Alan is a respected writer of music for examination syllabuses and educational albums. His major publications include the four inspirational Oxford Flexible Choral Anthologies, Alan Bullard Anthems, and the five cantatas Wondrous Cross, O Come Emmanuel, A Light in the Stable, Psalmi Penitentiales, and Images of Peace. He and his wife Janet also write the Pianoworks series for the older beginner.Here are two tuneful carols that choirs will enjoy singing [this and Malcolm Archer: A sound of singing fills the air]. The texts may be unfamiliar, but are set in a most sensitive way, as you would expect from both these composers . . . Alan Bullard's setting is equally melodic - with the main melody shared by upper and lower voices then arranged unaccompanied in a chorale. Interest is maintained by setting this sometimes in the minor, then in its tonic major. The chorus 'Gloria in excelsis Deo' in both these carols is melodically remarkably similar!
James L Montgomery, www.rscm.com, December 2017