The prolific composer Havergal Brian (1876 -1972) was a comparably productive musical journalist. His articles, reviews, editorials, personality profiles, and columns of comment on... more

In this book, Barbara Young, for several years a member of the Three Choirs Festival Chorus, explains the origin of that chorus and how it changed to meet the demands of musical taste through three centuries.

This is not a 'dry' book, but a very personal account which will appeal to listeners and singers alike.

The story is told from the inside by one who has enjoyed the challenge of learning the greatest works of the choral repertoire, has known th4 problems posed by new pieces, rehearsed under difficult conditions and felt the excitement and... more

Composer, organist, teacher, writer and broadcaster, Herbert Howells (1892-1983) is a major figure in English music. His three choral masterpieces, Hymnus Paradisi, the Stabat Mater and Missa Sabrinensis, are classics, while his ecclesiastical music - quite possibly sung daily in Britain - is the greatest contribution to Anglican church music of the twentieth century.

Born in humble circumstances in rural Gloucestershire, Howells held posts at Salisbury Cathedral, the Royal College of Music, St John's Cambridge and St Paul's Girls School. He was taught by Brewer, Stanford and Parry; a fellow student of... more

Birmingham’s present musical eminence is principally associated with Simon Rattle’s brilliant seasons with the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra from 1980 to 1998.

This exciting and very prestigious development was in fact a transformation, based on a solid musical foundation built up through the endeavour of many interesting and active musicians and music-lovers over a period of several centuries. It did not, like Athene, spring fully armed from the head of Zeus so to speak.

Moving through the ages, from the chantries of the fourteenth and... more